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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PIONEER: 



OR, 



THE NATIVITY, EXPERIENCE, TRAVELS, AND 
MINISTERIAL LABORS r-^~ 



99 



OF 



REV. JACOB YOUN 



WITH 



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INCIDENTS, OBSERVATIONS, AND REFLECTIONS. 



"The love of Christ doth me constrain 
To seek the wand'ring souls of men." 



CINCINNATI: 

. PUBLISHED BY L. SWORMSTEDT & A. POE, 

FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AT THE WESTERN BOOK CONCERN 
CORNER OF MAIN AND EIGHTH STREETS. 



R. P. THOMPSON, PRINTER, 

1859. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, 

BY L. SWORMSTEDT & A. POE, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District 
of Ohio. 

Gift 
Judge and Mrs.Isaac R.Httt 
July 6, 1931 



IT 



*>* 



PREFACE. 



"What! another autobiography of an itinerant?" 
Yes, my friend, another autobiography. And why should 
there not be another, and even still another ? Biograph- 
ical sketches have been written of very many of our Rev- 
olutionary patriots ; and yet, who feels that they are too 
many ? Who would not greet with a glad smile the 
well-authenticated autobiography of an old soldier of the 
Revolution — describing the thrilling scenes of the great 
struggle for freedom through which our fathers passed ? 
So with regard to those old veterans of the cross, who, 
by their sacrifice, toil, and fidelity to God, laid the foun- 
dations and reared the noble fabric of Methodism. Let 
them enter into history. Let their heroism, their devo- 
tion, toils, and triumphs be placed upon record. No 
class of men have been more overlooked in American 
history ; and yet none have higher claims to a noble and 
generous recognition in that history, than the pioneer 
Methodist preachers. It is but just now that the sub- 
stantial service done by such men to their country, as well 
as to their God, is beginning to be understood. 

The name of "Father Young" is identified with both 
the earlier and later history of Methodism in the great 
west. His personal narrative is, therefore, a matter of 
interest to the whole Church. 

-The following, found in the "Excerpta from Corre- 
spondence," in the Ladies' Repository, is a beautiful pic- 
ture of an old man retiring from the effective ranks, after 

3 



4 PREFACE. 

having served God and his generation. We scarcely 
need say that it was from a note written "by the author 
and subject of this autobiography. "After having gone 
in and out before the Church for fifty-four years, I am 
now compelled to retire. I am now in the neighborhood 
of total blindness. My strength is ebbing out with great 
rapidity. I shall soon be done with life and its cares. 
While you are actively and successfully engaged in doing 
the work of your great Master, I shall be sitting in my 
lonely cottage, repenting of all my former wrongs, be- 
lieving in Jesus Christ, and trying to love God with all 
my heart. How gloomy is the end of human life, uncon- 
nected with that which is to come ! My highest enjoy- 
ment in time, next to religion, will be in going to the 
house of God. It is not likely you will ever see my face 
again. I have spent a long life in trying to do good, 
and I am anxious to do good to the very last hour of my 
life. My trust is in my Kedeemer." 

Though the author still lingers on these mortal shores, 
the calm assurance and trust here evinced betoken that 
his sun of life will sink calmly and gloriously to its 
repose. 

It is due to state that the general editor, in consequence 
of other and imperative official duties, has been able to 
give little editorial supervision to this work. But he has 
been fortunate in being able to commit the matter to 
Rev. Charles Adams, whose high character as a scholar 
and writer, as well as a Christian minister, is an ample 
guarantee for the manner in which the work has been ex- 
ecuted. The manuscript was also carefully examined by 
the Rev. Dr. Thomson, and the work was highly recom- 
mended by him. 

D. W. C. 

"Western Book Concern, June 1, 1857. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTEE I. 

CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. 

Birth — Parentage — Emigration to the west— Perilous circumstances — In- 
dian war — Richard Young — Precautions — Removal to Youghiogheny — 
Laurel Hill — Pleasant home — Sickness — Recovery — The New Testa- 
ment — Its influence — Distress of mind — Sudden change — Good impres- 
sions fade — Becomes addicted to vain amusements — Emigration to Ken- 
tucky — Close of the Indian war — Perilous voyage — Character and hab- 
its of the early Kentuckians — Fight with fire-brands — Log-cabin — 
Mode of living — Unhallowed associates — Downward course — Becomes 
very wicked Page 23 

CHAPTER II. 

AWAKENING AND CONVERSION. 

Methodist preachers — Serious thoughts — Dark conclusion — Hears the Meth* 
odists — "Westminster Confession — The author's conclusion — Resorts to 
the Bible — Hope of mercy — John Page — A sermon — Its influence — 
Wild career ended — A time of power — Author is overcome — Opposed 
by his father — A dark day — Conversion — Reported to his father — His 
anger — Is reconciled — Fear of the mother — Doubt and despondency — 
Dream — Relief — Sunny days — Prediction of his fall — Proved false — The 
circuit preacher — His appearance — His prayer and sermon — The first 
camp meeting — Joining the Church — Parents' conversion 38 

CHAPTER III. 

CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 

Baptism — Lord's supper — Thirst for knowledge — New books — Impressions 
about preaching — Urging of friends — Discouragement and temptation — 
Yielding to a sense of duty — First preaching — Success — Discouraged 
again — Persuasions of Benjamin Young — Henry Ogborne — His curious 
remarks — Samuel Parker — His character — Urges the author to preach — 
Attempts to exhort — Failure — Resolves to give it up — Thinks of settling 

5 



O CONTENTS. 

down — Captain Waterman — A meeting without a preacher — Author 
bidden to preach — Undertakes — Text — Great freedom — Weeping and 
shouting — The friendly Scotchman — His offer — Author enters his semin- 
ary—Is attacked with violent fever— Expects to die— The great west- 
ern revival — Its great extent — Author's labors— Returns to his school — 
Licensed to preach — Rev. William M'Kendree — His district — His 
habits — His great popularity — His wonderful zeal — His great in- 
fluence Page 50 

CHAPTER IV. 

ENTERS THE ITINERANCY. 

Summons from the presiding elder — Preaches before him — Conversation 
with M'Kendree — Urges the author to preach — Consents — Distress— 
A clear sky — Meets the elder — Appointed to fill a vacancy — Well re- 
ceived — A time of refreshing — Parker's singing — M'Kendree's preach- 
ing — Author's first sermon as an itinerant — A happy day — E. Tolbert— 
Gabriel Woodfield— Philip Taylor — Samuel Duncan — Felix Grundy — 
Gen. Jackson — Robert Wickliffe — Around the circuit — Feelings — Halt- 
ing between two opinions — A liberal education — Life-long sufferings for 
want of education — Advice to Methodist preachers — Colleague's great 
zeal — Fifty-eight preaching-places — Proselyting efforts of the Baptists — 
Troublesome controversy — Baptists lose ground — Joshua L. Wilson — 
Close of the year 64 

CHAPTER V. 

NEW GROUND— WAYNE CIR C UIT — 1 8 2 . 

Desire to visit the conference — M'Kendree refuses — New appointment — 
James Gwyn — Forming of a new circuit — First reception — Preaching — 
Forms a society — Cabin in the wilderness — The lonely woman's sur- 
prise — Comfortable lodging — Joseph Williams — Mrs. Walker — Examin- 
ation — The cheerless cabin — Thoughts of better days — Preaching — A 
strange-looking man — He becomes a Christian — Samuel Finley — His 
shouting — "Great and glorious days" — Circuit formed — Account of 
David Rice— Lewis Garret — An eventful and happy year — Two facts — 
The new circuit named — Close of the year — Visit home 83 

CHAPTER VI. 

CLYNCH C I R C U I T — 1 8 03. 

Arrival at the conference— Conference-room — Mrs. Burke — Enters the 
conference-room — Bishop Asbury — M'Kendree — Place of worship — Sab- 
bath—Ten thousand hearers— Author preaches on Tuesday— A time of 



CONTENTS. 7 

refreshing— Travels in the wilderness with Bishop Ashury — Parting 
with the Bishop — His last words — Inhabitants of Powell's Valley — 
Their desperate character — The murdered travelers — Mocasson Gap — 
The Lynn family — The witty lawyer outwitted — Mr. Whitten — Tempta- 
tion to settle — First meeting with Lorenzo Dow — His preaching and 
appearance — Sermon of three hours on baptism — Sermon on Calvin- 
ism—Result — Border ruffians— Horse-stealing — Punishment •• Page 106 

CHAPTER VII. 

HOLSTON CIRCUIT — 1804. 

Widow Russell — Her character — Colonel Preston — Lawyer Smith — Salt- 
making — Mr. King — His history — General Tate — Knowleehucke cir- 
cuit — Ragon's meeting-house — Mr. Ragon — Mr. Harrison — John Adam 
Granadd — His strange career — Attends a camp meeting — Converted — 
Commences preaching — An able and successful minister — The Ernests — 
Judge Paine — Rev. Mr. Cosson — The jerks — Its prevalence — Rev. Mr. 
Doke — Singular exercises — Various opinions — The young preacher — 
Seized by the jerks — Amusing consequences — The author's sermon — 
The result 128 

CHAPTER VIII. 

MARIETTA C I R C U I T — 1 8 5 . 

Ill health — Reflections — Arrival at conference — Preaches the first ser- 
mon — A failure — Bishop Asbury sick — William M'Kendree elected 
President — Benjamin Young — His expulsion — Asbury's opinion of the 
case — Reclaimed and reinstated — Temptation — Resolution — Typhoid 
fever — Dr. Hines — Appointed to Marietta circuit — Journey from con- 
ference—Governor Tiffin — Sickness continues — Mr. Fearing — Reaches 
Marietta — Dr. M'Intosh — Severe sickness — Life despaired of — Return- 
ing strength — Good news — Rapid recovery — Interest in the young 
preacher — Jonas Johnson — His character — Methodism in Marietta — 
Commences preaching — The congregation and singing — Dr. Story- 
Solomon Goss — Providential help — The doctor's bill — Fever returns — 
Becomes better — George C. Light — Severe winter — Discouraging pros- 
pects — Society organized in Marietta — Protracted meeting — Results — 
Close of the year 140 

CHAPTER IX. 

LIMESTONE CIRCUIT — 1806. 

Belleville— Sickness of Light — Fording the Scioto — Fever and ague — 
Asbury— Whatcoat— Revival — Joseph Crawford— James Axley — Re- 



8 CONTENTS. 

lates his experience — Effect — Limestone circuit — Appearance of the 
circuit — Augusta — Standeford — Fleiningsburg — Various places — First 
round finished — Improving health — Revivals commence — Prosperous 
camp meeting — Prosperous year — Valentine Cook — Cumberland Gap — 
The gate-keeper — Arrives at conference — Death of Whatcoat — M'Ken- 
dree — Missing ones— David Young— S. Parker— Coke's circular letter— 
His proposal — Rejected — General conference and bishops — Southern se- 
cession — Sermon on death of Yfhatcoat — Text — Asbury Page 161 

CHAPTER X. 

NASHVILLE CIRCUIT — 1806. 

Nashville circuit — Its large extent — M'Kendree's manners — Holston mount- 
ains — Displeasure — Horse sickness — Relieved — Cumberland mountains — 
Spence's Gap — A dismal passage — Mode of descending — The drunken 
fool — M'Kendree's instructions and anecdotes — Lodge in the wilderness — 
M'Kendree and Edge — The -watering-place — Baptist ministers— Edge's 
imprudence — M'Kendree's reproof — Arrives at th^ circuit — Reflections — 
The infidel — The discussion — Result — G.-^Oii Hill — His daughter— Col- 
league — The common enemy — Jealousies — Presbyterians turning Meth- 
odists — Adoption of Methodist modes — Origin of Cumberland Presby- 
terians — Methodism very efficient — Miles Harper — His independent 
course — Difficulty with a Presbyterian — Author reproved by M'Ken- 
dree — Comforted — M'Kendree preaching in his blanket — Reproves the 
tobacco-chewers — Harper tried — Defends himself — Acquitted — M'Ken- 
dree's dissatisfaction with the Presbyterians — The Christian union de- 
fined — Camp meeting — Yaledictory • • • •• 177 

CHAPTER XI. 

CHILLICOTHE CONFERENCE-HOT. 

Wayne circuit — Abbot Goddard — Great exhorter — David Young — A 
Unitarian preacher — Conversation with M'Kendree — John Armstrong — 
The drunkard — His wrath — Conference — Asbury — The imprudent 
preachers — The whipping — Dr. Tiffin — Interview with Asbury — Ap- 
pointed to Mississippi district 198 

CHAPTER XII. 

JOURNEY TO MISSISSIPPI — 1807. 

New responsibilities — Dr. Hynes — Journey alone — Serious thoughts — 
Joins his associates — Preparations for the journey through the wilder- 
ness — Horses lost — Recovered — Col. George — His wicked character — 
Chickasaw nation — Choctaws — Their appearance — Arrive in the Missis- 
sippi territory — Appii-Forum — Reach Fort Gibson 207 



CONTENTS. 9 

CHAPTER XIII. 

MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT— 1 807-8. 

Joyfully received — Randall Gibson — Learner Blackman — The band of 
preachers — James Axley — Character of Blackman — His great influence- 
Fording and traveling — Pickeringville — Natchez — Tooley — " Under the 
hill" — Unexpected meeting — Mr. Wilson — Uncouth landlord — Capt. 
Bowie — Lawyer Hughes — Panthers — Loses the way — Return — Axley — 
Encampment — Prospects of the mission — Dr. Floyd — William Foster — 
Lorenzo Dow — His controversy with Sneethen and Cooper — Lorenzo 
and the Calvanists Page 216 

CHAPTER XIY. 

MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT — CONTINUED — 180 7-8. 

Axley much discouraged — Meets with opposition — His great self-denial 
and energy — Dr. Green — Dow's family trials — Camp meeting — Lorenzo 
Dow and the rowdies — Canteen of whisky — The "notable robber" — 
The chain of five links — A great speech — Bilious fever — A little swear- 
ing Yankee — Madam Turnbull — Esq. Turnbull — Dow again — Another 
remarkable speech — Effect — Author leaves the territory— Reckons his 
leaving as one of the mistakes of his life « 233 

CHAPTER XV. 

CONFERENCE — 180 8. 

Difficulties with the Choctaws — Start for Nashville — Apprehensions — 
Fears relieved — Indians — Sickness of Traverse — Reach conference — 
M'Kendree now bishop — Author reproved by Asbury for leaving the 
territory — Conference business — Burke — Slavery — Pleasant conference — 
Cup of trembling — Kindness of M'Kendree — Appointed to Nashville 
circuit— Appointment changed to West Wheeling • 24$ 

CHAPTER XYI. 

WEST WHEELING C I R C U IT — 1 8 8. 

Michael Ellis — Archibald M'Elroy — Doubtful reception — Interview with 
R. R. Roberts — Asbury's letter — Unpleasant situation — Lorenzo Dow — 
John Spahr— His family — Ruth — Peggy Dow — Barnabas Lucas— Jacob 
Neisless — Thornton Fleming — James Quinn — Transfer of the circuit — 
Obadiah Jennings — James Watts — Thomas Church — His resolution — 
His attempts at reform — Failure — Author's courtship — Marriage — Note 
from Asbury 253 



10 CONTENTS. 



CHAPTEK XVII. 

REAPPOINTMENT— TRANSFER TO BALTIMORE CONFER- 
ENCE— 1809— 1811. 

Conference in Cincinnati— Reappointed— Transfer— Ohio circuit— John 
West — Jacob Gruber — Sickness — Redstone circuit — Revival — Pros- 
perity — J. B. Finley — M'Elroy — Temperance — Pleasant acquaintances — 
Close of the year- • Page 268 

CHAPTEE XVIII. 

OHIO DISTRICT — 1812. 

Baltimore conference — Nicholas Sneethen — "War declared— Much excite- 
ment — The two great parties — Apprehensions — Scarcity of bread — John 
P. Kent — M'Kendree's preaching — Presbyterian deputation — They ac- 
cuse M'Kendree — His defense— His fatherly advice — Hull's surrender — 
Great alarm 278 

CHAPTEE XIX. 

A CAMP MEETING INCIDENT. 

Camp meeting — A rowdy struck down — Great excitement — Sinners con- 
verted — Soldiers marching for Buffalo — They march into the encamp- 
ment — Asbury's sermon to the soldiers — Text — A word in season — De- 
parture — Disorder — Asbury's warning to rowdies 290 

CHAPTEE XX. 

OHIO DISTRICT — CONTINUED — 18 12.. 

Conference was very large — A member expelled— Reappointed— Joseph 
Spahr — His character and early death — A year of prosperity— Hard 
times — Provisions high — Stern winter — Camp meeting men — General 
Mead — M'Kendree's preaching — Clamor about lodgings — All accommo- 
dated— Mrs. Hale— The bishops 297 

CHAPTEE XXI. 

OHIO DISTRICT— CONTINUED — 1813— 1815. 

Opening of conference — Conversion of Miss Wells — Solemn reflections — A 
christening in the conference-room — Reappointed — Preachers — The 
war — Cold plague — Dreadfully fatal — Great scarcity — Extortioners — 
Three young ladies — Anne Kent — Conference at Cincinnati — Bishops in 
feeble health 305 



CONTENTS. 11 

CHAPTEE XXII. 

REAPPOINTED TO OHIO DIS TRICT — 1 81 6. 

Conference — Burke's suspension — Injudicious management — His expul- 
sion — Burke a man of God — Arrival of M'Kendree — Conference takes a 
new aspect — Reappointed — David Young — Abel Robinson — Fever — 
Cured — Improvement in district — Conference at Lebanon — Asbury very 
feeble— Election of delegates— Attends General conference •• -Page 313 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

GENERAL C N F E R E N C E — 1 8 1 6 . 

Journey — Company — Arrival — Lodgings — Conference-room — Eminent 
men — Boundaries — R. R. Roberts — Death of Asbury — M'Kendree 
alone — His appearance — Funeral of Asbury — Sermon by Dr. Black — 
Order of procession — Presiding elder question — Leaders in the debate — 
No change — George and Roberts elected bishops — Adjournment — Jour- 
ney homeward — Apprehensions of robbers — Arrival home 320 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

MUSKINGUM DISTRICT — 1816. 

An extensive district — Meditations — Good health — Marietta — Marcus 
Lindsey — Thomas A. Morris — Abigail — William Cherrington — Samuel 
Hamilton — One round finished — Second round — A camp meeting— David 
Young — William Swayze — Death's doings — Conference — Reappoint- 
ment 328 

CHAPTER XXY. 

MUSKINGUM DISTRICT — CONTINUED — 1816-1818. 

Business operations — Unsuccessful — Book Concern — Somewhat discour- 
aged — Conference at Zanesville, 1817 — Returned to Muskingum dis- 
trict — Preachers of the district — M'Mahon — Encounter with a Univer- 
salist — Waterman — His preaching — Cornelius Springer — Hamilton — His 
superior talents — Encounter with an infidel — Amusing anecdote of a 
crazy man — Lemuel Lane — Conference at Steubenville, 1818— Burke's 
case — Joshua Soule — Reappointed — Embarrassments 339 

CHAPTER XXYI. 

GENERAL C O N F E R E N C E — 1 8 2 . 

Conference at Cincinnati — Wyandott mission — Delegates — Appointed to 
West Wheeling circuit — William Swayze — His preaching in the woods — 



12 CONTENTS. 

Wonderful effect — The Yankee dancing-master — Arrive at General con- 
ference — Distinguished members — Presiding elder question — M'Kendrea 
and Soule vindicated — Soule elected bishop — Declines ordination — A 
warm struggle — Soule's resignation accepted — Conference adjourns — 
Return — Annual conference — "Wyandott chiefs Page 356 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

LANCASTER DI S T R I C T — 1 8 2 3 - 1 8 2 5 . 

C. Elliott — Lydia Barstow — John Stewart— His visit to the Wyandotts — 
Jonathan Pointer — Gov. Trimble — Plea for the Wyandotts — Severe sick- 
ness—Annual conference — Election of delegates — Reappointment — At- 
tends the General conference — The Radical struggle — Soule and Hed- 
ding elected bishops — Reese and Hannah — The suspended resolution — 
Return • 367 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

COLUMBUS AND PICKAWAY CIRCUITS —GENERAL CONFER- 
ENCE— 1828. 

Conference at Hillsboro — Appointment — Death of oldest son — A great 
shock — "Wife's sickness and recovery — Conference — Dark days — Journey 
to the General conference — Lodgings — Strong men — Radical reform — 
Report on the subject — Adopted — Shinn — Randall's appeal — Soule's 
sermon — Emory and Fisk — Fisk's speech — Roszel and Bascom— Canada 
question — Settled — Adjournment — Annual conference — Chillicothe. 379 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

FAIRFIELD AND MARIETTA C IR CUITS —1828- 1 829 . 

A large circuit— Colleague — David Lewis — Camp meeting — M'Kendree's 
sermons — His. great excellence — Urbana conference, 1829 — Marietta cir- 
cuit — General class meetings — Beneficial — Bowen family — Liberality — 
Author removes his family to Virginia — Lancaster conference 397 

CHAPTER XXX. 

TRANSFER — WEST LIBERTY AND OHIO CIRCUITS — 1 830-31. 

A pleasant conference — Transferred to Pittsburg conference — Michael 
Ellis — Author's eye-sight failing— Different prescriptions — Eyes grow- 
ing worse — Dark prospect — Two circuits in one — L. L. Hamline — His 
preaching — Campbellites — Success — The Poes — "William Tucker — Killed 
by the Indians — Conference at Pittsburg, 1831 — Hedding — Bascom— 
Reappointed — Eyes improved 406 



CONTENTS. 13 



CHAPTEE XXXI. 

SOMERSET AND ATHENS CIRCUI T S — 1 833-1 8 3 4 . 

Appointed to Somerset circuit — Prosperity — Temperance efforts — Opposi- 
tion — The distiller's conversion — Cholera — Great alarm — Cholera at 
Cincinnati— Conference there — Appointed to Athens circuit — Fine pros- 
pects—Failure of Hamline's health— Recovery— Cyrus Brooks— Circle- 
ville conference — Ohio University — Bishop Soule — Dissatisfaction — Re- 
appointed • Page 422 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

COLUMBUS DISTRICT — 1835— 1 839. 

Springfield conference, 1835 — Author's fifth election to General confer- 
ence — Appointed to Columbus district — Sundry good men — The mission- 
ary spirit — Methodist Female Seminary — General conference — B.Waugh 
and T. A. Morris, elected bishops — Annual conference at Chillicothe — 
William Nast — Samuel Lewis — Xenia conference — Plan of the Female 
Seminary presented — Opposition — Success — Death of Mrs. Young — ■ 
Conference at Columbus — Reappointed — Close of labors on Columbus 
district-- 439 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE— 1840. 

Annual conference — Cincinnati — Election of Delegates — A new circuit — 
Revival — General conference — Baltimore — Slavery — Case of Comfort — 
The debates — I. A. Few — 0. Scott — Dr. Newton — His preaching — De- 
parture — Adjournment — Return — Pittsburg — Mrs. Anna Lee — Home — 
Prosperous summer 452 

CHAPTER XXXIY. 

RUSHVILLE, LONDON, NEW RICHMOND, AND NORTH BEND 
CIRCUITS — 184 0— 1844. 

Zanesville conference, 1840 — Reappointed — Revival — Author marries Mrs. 
Lee, of Pittsburg — A year of labor — Urbana conference, 1841 — Dela- 
ware — Dr. Elliott — Ohio Wesleyan University— Present condition of the 
College— Rushville circuit— R. 0. Spencer— Washingtonianism— Con- 
ference, 1842 — London circuit — Good friends — New Richmond circuit, 
1843 — A prosperous year — Marietta conference, 1844 — Resolutions — 
Warm debate — Much opposition — Pass triumphantly — North Bend cir- 
cuit— Close of the year* 462, 



14 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

MARIETTA DIS T R I CT — 1 84 5 — 1 848 , 

Cincinnati conference, 1845 — Bishop Soule — Bishop Hamline — Soule, by 
request of the conference, leaves the chair — Retires from the conference- 
room — Marietta district — Prosperity — Piqua conference, 1846 — Reap- 
pointed — A prosperous year — Columbus conference, 1847— Delegates — 
Reappointed — Removes to Harmar — General conference — Much im- 
portant business — Home — Newark conference, 1848 — Reappointed — 
Pleasant year Page 477 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

ZANESVILLE DIS T R I C T — 1 8 48 — 1 8 5 2 . 

Dayton conference, 1849— Zanesville district — Lowrey— Moody — Prosper- 
ity — Chillicothe conference, 1850 — Reappointed — Prosperous year — Fail- 
ing health — Springfield conference, 1851 — Pew question — Author's 
eighth election to General conference — Reappointment — Goes to Bos- 
ton — Opening of conference — Appearance — Election of bishops — Other 
business — Adjournment — Journey home — Remarks 493 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

GROVEPORT, PICKERINGTON, CHESTER, AND REHOBOTH 
CIRCUITS — 1852 — 1856. 

Zanesville conference, 1852 — Appointed to Groveport — Prosperous year- 
Lancaster conference, 1853 — Pickerington circuit— Another pleasant 
year — Portsmouth conference, 1854 — Delightful conference — Chester 
circuit — Athens conference, 1855 — Much business — Author's ninth elec- 
tion — Rehoboth circuit — Arrival — Much exhausted 506 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1856 —CLOSE OF ITINERANT 
LABORS. 

Strength increases — Reverse — Failure of eyes — Author resigns his 
charge — Preaches in various places — Goes to General conference — Slav- 
ery question — Debates — Adjournment — Newark conference — Superan- 
nuation — Home — Palsy — Partial blindness — Fourscore years — Happi- 
ness 513 

Conclusion 520 



INTRODUCTION. 



The venerable man whose autobiography is hero 
introduced to the public, is a few months older than 
the Declaration of American Independence. Native 
American citizens, born under colonial jurisdiction, 
are becoming scarce among us, and will soon entirely 
disappear. For this reason, if no other existed, the 
personal history of Rev. Jacob Young, D.D., is a 
matter of interest to this generation. The labor of 
getting it up, at his advanced age, must have been 
onerous. Having been long afflicted in his eyes, and 
for some years nearly deprived of vision, he labored 
under the disadvantage of having to employ an 
amanuensis. This was embarrassing. Dictating for 
another to write, is similar to preaching through 
an interpreter; it disturbs the regular current of 
thought and language, and checks the inspiration of 
the theme. Still, the reader will be well entertained 
with this book, and the Church generally will realize 
a favor conferred by its publication. The revision of 
Dr. Thomson, and editorial scrutiny of Dr. Clark, are 
ample security for its literary character, while the 
well-known claims of the author to candor and verac- 
ity are a sufficient voucher for its truthfulness. 

15 



16 INTRODUCTION. 

Dr. Young was born and reared on the western 
frontier, and became accustomed to privation and 
hardship, toil and peril, in early life, all of which 
were favorable to that power of endurance so import- 
ant to him in his subsequent calling as a pioneer evan- 
gelist, as well as to his mental vigor and moral cour- 
age. He was more than half a century engaged in 
the arduous duties of the regular itinerant ministry, 
sometimes forming new circuits, then enlarging old 
ones, and a large proportion of his time he was pre- 
siding elder on extensive and laborious districts. The 
first few years of toil and exposure, with some severe 
attacks of fever, nearly broke him down, but his con- 
stitution rallied, and he regained his health, and con- 
tinued in his high and holy calling to a good old age. 

He was well adapted to the times and country in 
which Providence placed him. He belonged to a 
class of citizen ministers, called of God from the 
masses of the people, converted, imbued with the 
spirit of the Gospel, and by Him sent back to the 
masses with the glad tidings of salvation, which they 
proclaimed in language familiar to the common peo- 
ple, who heard them gladly, as such people formerly 
heard the Savior. If the Gospel rule be applied to 
these ministers, " By their fruits ye shall know them," 
they will compare very favorably with those who come 
from universities and schools of divinity. College 
instruction is a privilege, but not indispensable to the 
acquisition of ministerial qualification. There are 
other means of obtaining useful knowledge, and such 



INTRODUCTION. 17 

as diligently use them may become learned without 
college instruction. Many of our American states- 
men, and not a few of our itinerant ministers, are 
living examples of this truth. Persevering applica- 
tion to books and study will generally insure success. 
Dr. Young evinced an ardent desire for the acqui- 
sition of knowledge at a very early period of life, 
and, in the absence of school privileges, used such 
means as were within his reach. The second book 
he read was the New Testament. This shaped his 
course, fixed his principles, and secured his success 
in after life. Though he grew up amid patriots, sol- 
diers, and the exciting scenes of the chase, incident 
to a new country, he never lost his thirst for knowl- 
edge. Though he was led, by the force of example 
and evil association, out of the path of life in which 
he had resolved in childhood to walk, yet he ever 
retained his desire for mental improvement. Having 
arrived at adult age, experienced a change of heart, 
and become exercised in mind as to having a dispen- 
sation of the Gospel committed to him, he embraced 
the first opportunity of studying under a competent 
teacher ; but the call of the Church, the pressing de- 
mands of the work, and the persuasion of influential 
brethren, induced him to break off and take the field 
before he completed his academical course. This he 
subsequently regretted, feeling embarrassed for want 
of a classical education. Yet, perhaps, a man reared 
in college, if placed on his frontier circuit, would 

have been quite as much embarrassed for the want of 

2 



18 INTRODUCTION. 

his practical knowledge of men and things in general. 
After all, he was not so deficient as many. He had 
acquired the elementary principles of an English 
education; and before he entered the ministry, he 
was well read in philosophy and ancient history, still 
better in theology, and, best of all, he was quite fa- 
miliar with the holy Scriptures. On this foundation, 
he proceeded to build; and, being always studious, he 
has read as much, and retained the substance of his 
reading as well, as any man of my acquaintance. 
Better judges than I have pronounced him one of the 
best theologians and historians in our country. That 
he has retained some provincialisms, contracted in 
early life, is admitted; but the same is true of some 
doctors of divinity, nearly of his own age, who were 
regularly graduated both in literary and theological 
institutions. Improper habits of pronunciation, ac- 
quired in youth, are not easily reformed. 

I became well acquainted with Dr. Young, when he 
was probably at the maximum of his physical and 
mental vigor. He was my presiding elder from the 
spring of 1816 to the autumn of 1819. He was then 
regarded as one of our strongest men in the work. 
Multitudes of people attended his quarterly meetings, 
expecting to witness displays of awakening power 
and saving mercy, and were seldom disappointed. 
He was generally respected as an able minister and 
esteemed as a good man. The junior preachers es- 
pecially, of whom I was one, looked up to him as a 
preceptor, and loved him as a father. His manner, 



INTRODUCTION. 19 

it is well known, was peculiar; the intonations of 
his voice were monotonous, and, in any other individ- 
ual, would have been objectionable; but, in him, we 
thought them commendable, as identifying the man 
we all liked so well, and we should have regretted the 
absence of his own peculiar tone. In those days, he 
began his day's study at 4 o'clock, A. M., and allowed 
himself no needless loss of time. The first few days 
I was in his company, in 1816, he was critically re- 
viewing Dr. Blair's Lectures on Rhetoric, and though 
he could readily recite most of the rules, they did 
not, in the least, interfere with the modulations of his 
own voice, which, at his decease, will be finally lost, 
for no man ever did, or ever will, imitate them; any 
attempt to counterfeit them would be easily detected. 
With him, however, they were natural, not affected, 
and soon became familiar and agreeable to habitual 
hearers. But, with all his peculiarity of manner as a 
speaker, he was, in his best days, generally popular 
and successful, for he preached and prayed in demon- 
stration of the Spirit, and many souls were saved 
under his ministry. He freely identified himself with 
the Methodists, when the entire connection in Amer- 
ica embraced less than one hundred thousand mem- 
bers, and less than four hundred traveling preachers ; 
but he lives to see the same connection with eight 
hundred thousand communicants, and over five thou- 
sand effective traveling preachers, exclusive of the 
Southern organization, which, if added, would swell 
the membership to over a million and a quarter, and 



20 INTRODUCTION. 

the itinerant ministry to some eight thousand — a glo- 
rious result for one lifetime. 

A faithful record of the incidents of his life, pro- 
tracted to fourscore years, can not fail to interest 
readers in general, while his numerous friends and 
brethren will enjoy a choice entertainment in its 
perusal. He remembered his Creator in the days 
of his youth ; but his youthful impressions, like the 
morning cloud and early dew, soon passed away. 
When he became a man, was reawakened, and re- 
solved to be decidedly religious, his conflict with sin 
and Satan was terrible, showing that reclamation is 
more difficult than original conversion. This part of 
his narrative will deeply interest all who seriously 
inquire what they must do to be saved, while his pro- 
tracted struggle of mind over his divine call to the 
ministry, will prove instructing and edifying to all 
interested in knowing the truth on that subject. Be- 
fore our blessed Savior commenced his public min- 
istry, he was led into the wilderness and sorely 
tempted ; and it is not uncommon for those whom he 
calls to preach the Gospel, to experience fiery trials 
prior to the opening of their mission, or soon after. 
But the Lord affords them supporting and delivering 
grace. Taken altogether, this work is a valuable ad- 
dition to our biographical department, and well de- 
serves, what, I trust, will be awarded to it, an ex- 
tended circulation. 

T. A. Morris. 
Home Lodge, Maech, 1857. 



FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER I. 

CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. 

I WAS born, in what is now called Alleghany 
county, in the state of Pennsylvania, March 19th, in 
the year of our Lord, 1776, of poor but respectable 
parents. My father was brought up in the Church 
of England, my mother in the Presbyterian Church. 
Neither of them was converted to God, till after I 
came to years of maturity, united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and obtained salvation through 
our Lord Jesus Christ. I was the humble instru- 
ment in the hands of God of bringing them both to 
the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. They 
united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for 
many years adorned their profession. Their lives 
were tranquil, and their deaths peaceful. My father 
was born in Anne Arundel county, Maryland. My 
mother was born in Berkley county, Virginia. They 
were united in marriage in 1769, and settled on a 
stream called Back creek, Berkley county, Virginia. 
There they remained till God blessed their union 

-with two sons, Samuel and Benjamin. From thence 

23 



•2i FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

they emigrated to the "western country, at that time 
called the backwoods, and settled near the Ohio river, 
about twenty miles below Pittsburg — not very far 
from where Adam Poe had his famous conflict with 
the Indian chief, called Big-Foot. There the subject 
of this memoir was born. 

Few children ever came into the world surrounded 
by more perilous circumstances than myself. It will 
be remembered by all who are acquainted with the 
history of the country, that at this time the Indian 
war was raging with dreadful fury. 

The log-cabin in which I was born, stood right on 
the frontier. My uncle, Richard Young, built a 
strong log-cabin about thirty yards distant from my 
father's. The Indians could come to the very doors 
without passing the habitation of any white man, 
But these houses were remarkably well secured. The 
shutters to the doors, were made of strong white- 
oak puncheons, made smooth and put together with 
such skill that it was impossible for the Indians to 
force them. Between the logs of the cabin were 
small holes called port-holes, through which we could 
project the muzzles of our guns. The ground was 
so well cleared between the houses that the Indians 
could not approach without being discovered, and if 
they made an attack on one door they could be shot 
at through the port-holes of the other. 

My father, being an excellent woodsman and sharp- 
shooter, relied upon his skill, activity, good gun, and 
faithful dog — for the protection of his family. While 



FIRST THREE YEARS. 25 

I was sleeping in my cradle, watched by my careful 
mother and two little brothers who were kept within 
doors for fear of the savages, my father and uncle 
were clearing ground to raise bread for their families. 
While one worked the other watched with a loaded 
gun in hand, his dog being always near to give the 
alarm. 

In this way I spent the first year of my life. At 
the end of that year, my mother became so much 
alarmed that she was unwilling to stay there any 
longer. They removed to a settlement on the 
Youghiogheny, near where Connelsville now stands. 
Here I spent another year of my life. During that 
period I learned nothing from my parents worth 
recording. 

The third year became more interesting. Of 
many interesting and important events that trans- 
pired during this year I have a distinct recollection. 
My father purchased a pretty little farm near the 
base of the famous Laurel Hill, Fayette county, 
Pennsylvania. 

I learned from my mother in after years that I 
was remarkable for my activity and natural courage. 
These two qualities never forsook me even in old age. 

A few of the incidents of my early life I will 
relate. First, the beauty and pleasantness of my 
habitation, the kindness of my father and mother, 
and my two brothers. My mother's relations lived 
near and had a great partiality for me and conferred 
on me many favors. I was placed under the care 



26 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

of a negro girl, who was remarkable for her faithful- 
ness and kindness. This year, I began to take great 
delight in walking through the fields and meadows 
with my two brothers. I used to spend hours in the 
delightful sylvan scenes, while pleasant groves, and 
singing birds, always charmed my youthful heart. 
This pleasant year soon run by. The next was a 
gloomy one. My father and mother made great 
calculations on my happiness and usefulness, but 
their prospects appear to have been blasted in a day. 

I was attacked with a bloody flux which brought 
me very low. My father sat, for many a dreary 
night, with me in his lap when I could not turn my 
head. This year appears like a blank in my life, as 
I remember scarcely any thing of it but the misery 
I suffered. I recovered slowly. Before I was en- 
tirely well I was attacked with a confirmed asthma, 
which lasted till my fifteenth year. Sometimes it 
was almost impossible for me to breathe. It was 
attended with a very severe cough, which brought on 
a bleeding at the nose. I often sat for hours when 
the blood was flowing, and I fully expected I should 
eventually bleed to death. I recollect hearing my 
father say that I bled so much at one time, that 
the last bleeding would hardly stain a white pocket- 
handkerchief. 

In consequence of my afflictions I was unable to 
go to school. While my brothers were acquiring an 
education I was confined at home ; but, at this early 
period, I was resolved that I would not live and die 



<*>■ 



EARLY IMPRESSIONS. 27 

in ignorance. My father bought some books for me, 
and my mother became my preceptress. I studied 
faithfully under her instructions for many a long day. 

The second book I read was the New Testament ; 
and while reading it, God applied the word to my 
heart. Often did I leave my mother's presence lest 
she should see my flowing tears. I loved the Savior, 
and used to think if I had lived in the days of his 
incarnation, I would have followed him at the risk 
of life. These convictions continued for several 
years, when one night, after the family were all 
asleep — I was about ten years of age — I became 
greatly alarmed ; I arose, and sat for some time 
by the fire, in distress of mind almost beyond 
endurance. 

But suddenly a change took place, and my burden 
appeared to fall off; something whispered in my 
ear "be of good comfort, your sins are forgiven." 
I then went to bed with great comfort, and for a 
number of months was a very happy boy. 

I opened my mind to no one, for this was a dark 
time in the Church, and I knew of no one to whom 
I could go for instruction. I continued to read the 
Testament and repeat the Lord's Prayer when I 
went to bed. But having no one to guide me my 
good impressions wore off, and I returned again to 
the follies of the world. My fall was very sudden. 
I met with considerable persecution from my brother 
older than myself, who was not willing to lose my 
company. He possessed a great flow of animal 



28 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

spirits, and often made sport for the -whole family. 
Under these circumstances, my mind became painfully 
exercised, the enemy often tempted me, and having 
no religious instructor, I did not know how to resist 
temptation. I was one day riding a very unruly 
horse, and it appeared that an evil spirit had entered 
into the animal. Being greatly provoked, I swore 
profanely, and it seemed as if the good Spirit left me 
immediately. I left off saying prayers and reading 
the holy Scriptures, and in less than one year I was 
far worse than I ever had been before. I had been 
a child of affliction the greater part of my life, my 
disease was a confirmed asthma, which was removed 
by taking tar-pills, or by the assistance of nature. 

I was now about fifteen years of age. In a short 
time, I became very healthy and remarkable for 
strength and activity. It may be truly said that 
"evil communications corrupt good morals," as well 
as good manners. 

About this time I learned to dance, and was ex- 
ceedingly fond of the ball-room, and charmed with 
the sound of the violin. In a year or two these things 
became stale, and I sought for and found a variety 
at the card-table. I spent my long winter evenings 
in pernicious places, surrounded by the very worst 
kind of company, and when I became tired of the 
card-table I would return again to the ball-room. 

About this time my father emigrated to the state 
of Kentucky, and settled on the frontier in what is 
now Henry county, near where Newcastle at present 



EMIGRATION. 29 

stands. But after my father had concluded to go 
to Kentucky, several things transpired that are 
worthy of notice. Previous to this time, General 
Harmer and General St. Clair had both been de- 
feated by the Indians. These victories inspired the 
savages with an expectation of general success, and 
the war became more bloody than it had been 
before. My father and mother having suffered so 
much from Indian war in days of other years, were 
afraid to venture themselves and family on the fron- 
tier again. Having sold their farm, and lost part 
of the price in Continental money, they were a good 
deal reduced in their temporal circumstances. While 
the family remained in an unsettled condition, the 
subject of this memoir had to labor very hard to 
help support his father's family. 

Finally, the Indian war came to a close, and with 
buoyant spirits we left Pennsylvania, took water at 
Brownsville, on the Monongahela river, and floated 
to the mouth of the Kentucky river. There were 
very many persons in the boat in which we de- 
scended, and a goodly number of them women, that 
were very much afraid of Indians. Though there 
was no real danger, there was a great deal of un- 
easiness experienced by the crew. Perhaps I was 
more exposed than any other individual during the 
whole voyage. There were fifty-two persons and 
fifteen horses on board, beside a great deal of fur- 
niture which sunk the boat very deep. As it was 
late in the season, the weather was very stormy. 



3C FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

It fell to my lot mostly to steer the boat. I waa 
often put to my wit's end, not knowing what to do. 
The horses prancing and trying to jump out of the 
boat, the women screaming at the top of their 
voices, and cowardly men standing on the bow cry- 
ing to the right and to the left, all at the same time, 
made perfect confusion. 

One gloomy afternoon we came in sight of an 
island — some cried to the right, others to the left, 
and in this confusion the boat took the wrong side 
of the island. All were in danger of being lost. 
The channel being narrow, and the water running 
with great force, the boughs of the trees leaning 
over brushed our horses, and it was feared they 
would jump out. The women, crying aloud and 
praying for mercy, had a dreadful time. The steers- 
man became very angry, and to his own shame, 
swore horribly. Having thus quieted the whole 
crew, by great exertions he got the boat straight, 
and we glided smoothly through, and in a short 
time were in the broad river again. 

It often fell to my lot to furnish fuel. I would 
take a canoe and go to the shore, and let the boat 
float on, cut and fill my canoe with wood, and then, 
by hard rowing for several hours, come up with the 
boat again. On these occasions, my mother was 
very fearful that lurking Indians along the shore 
might murder her son. But by great care and hard 
toiling, we ran our boat into the mouth of the Ken- 
tucky river. 



EARLY KENTUCKIANS. 31 

Here, my father left the boat and traveled, on an 
Indian path, thirty miles to Loudon station, where 
he had relatives living. They came with all con- 
venient speed, took the light furniture and family on 
horses, conveyed them to their new home, and stored 
the heavy furniture, to be afterward conveyed by 
water to Drennon's Lick. 

A house being provided for the family, all went to 
business, and soon became acquainted with the man- 
ners and customs of the country, and found them bad 
enough. Although I had departed far from the good 
and the right way before I left Pennsylvania, yet 
these Kentuckians had gone so much farther -than 
any thing I had ever known in wickedness, that I was 
horrified at seeing and hearing them. The very sight 
of them was painfully disgusting. Their costume was 
a hunting-shirt, buck-skin pantaloons, a leathern belt 
around their middle, a scabbard and a big knife 
fastened to their belt; some of them wore hats, and 
some caps. Their feet were covered with moccasins, 
made of dressed deer-skins. They did not think 
themselves dressed without their powder-horn and 
shot-pouch, or the gun and tomahawk. They were 
ready, then, for all alarms. They knew but little. 
They could clear ground, raise corn, kill turkeys, 
deer, bears, buffalo, and, when it became necessary, 
they understood the art of fighting the Indians as well 
as any men in the United States. Here I will give the 
reader a specimen of their manners and customs, which 
will convey some knowledge of their real character. 



32 IIFTT TEARS I>~ THE ITIXERAXCT. 

Shortly after we had taken up our residence. I was 
called upon to assist in opening a road from the place 
where ^Newcastle now stands, to the mouth of Ken- 
tucky river. That country, then, was an unbroken 
forest. There was nothing but an Indian trail pass- 
ing the wilderness. The Indian warriors were in the 
habit of crossing the Ohio river, and leaving their 
bark-canoes in the mouth of the Kentucky river; 
and, following the trail into the white settlement, 
where they murdered the inhabitants, indiscriminately, 
men, women, and children, then stealing a number of 
horses, and making their escape back to their own 
country. 

Pursuant to previous notice, I met the company 
early in the morning, with my ax, three days' pro- 
visions and my knapsack. Here I found a captain, 
with about one hundred men, all prepared to labor — 
about as jovial a company as I ever saw, all good- 
natured and civil. Had a man been there who had 
ever read the history of Greece, he would have 
thought of the Spartans in their palmy days. This 
was about the last of Xovember, 1797. The day 
was cold and clear. The countrv through which the 
company passed was delightful. It was not a flat 
country, but, what the Kentuckians called, rolling 
ground. It was quite well stored with lofty timber, 
and the undergrowth was very pretty. The beautiful 
cane-brakes gave it a peculiar charm. TVhat rendered 
it most interesting was the great abundance of wild 
turkeys, deer, bear, and other wild animals. The 



A SHAM FIGHT. 33 

company worked hard all day — -were very quiet, and 
every man obeyed the captain's orders punctually. 

Just about sundown the captain called us to leave 
our labor, and, after a short address, he told us the 
night was going to be very cold, and we must make 
very large fires. We felled the hickory-trees, in 
great abundance, and made great log-heaps, mixing 
the dry wood with the green hickory. And, lay- 
ing down a kind of sleepers under the pile, we 
elevated the heap and caused it to burn rapidly. 
Every man had a water-vessel in his knapsack. 
We searched, and found a stream of water, and, 
by this time, the fires were showing to great ad- 
vantage. We warmed our cold victuals, ate our sup- 
pers, and spent the evening in hearing the hunter's 
story relative to the bloody scenes of the Indian war. 
We then heard some pretty fine singing, considering 
the circumstances. 

Thus far, I enjoyed myself well, but a change be- 
gan to take place. They became very rude, and 
raised the war-whoop. Their shrill shrieks made me 
tremble. They chose two captains — divided the men 
into two companies, and commenced fighting with the 
fire-brands — the log-heaps having burned down. The 
only law that I can recollect for their government 
was, that no man should throw a brand without fire 
on it, so that they might know how to dodge. They 
fought two or three hours in perfect good nature, 
till brands became scarce, and they began to violate 
the law. Some were severely wounded, blood began 



34 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

to flow freely, and they were in a fair way of com- 
mencing a fight in earnest. 

At this moment, we heard the loud voice of the 
captain ordering every man to retire to rest. They 
dropped their weapons of warfare, rekindled the 
fires, and laid themselves down to sleep. Suffice it to 
say, we finished our road according to directions, and 
returned home in health and peace. 

Now let us return to our own narrative. We pur- 
chased a tract of land, in an uncultivated state — 
erected a log-cabin, and moved into it the eleventh of 
May, 1797. There was no floor to the cabin, nor 
shutters to the doors. The tall oak-trees overshad- 
owed it, and the howling wolves made music for us by 
night. Our money was gone. Our only chance to 
raise bread was to clear the forest in the wilderness. 
The reader will say this was a gloomy prospect. 
And so it was, but we were all in good health and 
fine spirits, and went to work, my father furnishing 
us with meat, from the woods, with his gun. Buffalo 
grass and pea-vine were then nearly knee-high in 
every direction. We bought some milch cows, and 
made a large quantity of sugar early in the spring. 
Although we could not say our land flowed with milk 
and honey, it flowed with milk and sugar. The 
experienced hunter — my father — brought us loads 
of fat turkeys and venison every day. He being a 
mechanic, as well as a hunter, erected a small mill, 
called a hand-mill. Early, every morning, we ground 
the meal to make our daily bread. In a short time 



DOWNWARD COURSE'. 35 

we had a fine field planted with Indian corn, large 
patches of melons, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, and 
all kinds of vegetables common to that climate. We 
were truly a happy family. 

In the midst of all these changes I had no relig- 
ious impressions — it appeared as if the subject of this 
memoir was given to hardness of heart, and blind- 
ness of mind, and being surrounded by a bad popu- 
lation, I soon formed unhallowed associations. Al- 
though the people were generally illiterate, there 
were some learned men mingling among them. But 
unfortunately these learned men were, most of them, 
desperate characters. They had emigrated from 
New England, and others of the old states in the 
Union ; but I feel it my duty to say there were some 
exceptions. In these frontiers there were some 
noble families, honorable gentlemen and ladies, try- 
ing to bring up their families in the good and right 
way, but as I was a sportsman I had little communi- 
cation with them. As the region was soon densely 
populated, dancing-houses and gambling-rooms were 
erected and race-grounds prepared, and I recom- 
menced the bad practices I had followed in Penn- 
sylvania. I spent my Sabbaths in a very improper 
manner. Seeking the deepest and wildest shades, I 
spent the Lord's holy day in gambling — my mother 
weeping at home, and my father looking melancholy 
and heart-broken on my return. In a short time I 
became a desperately-wicked man, associating with 
bad characters and often getting into dreadful rook- 



36 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

eries, where personal safety and even life were in 
danger. 

One of these scenes of danger I here relate. Be- 
ing one day at the mouth of Kentucky river, I fell in 
with a company of sharpers, headed hy a desperate 
character from New England, who cheated me out 
of a very fine horse. And as appeals to honor and 
law were all in vain, the horse being concealed, I 
resolved to chastise the villain and let him go ; but 
he pleaded that he was under size and could not 
settle the quarrel in that way. But he had many 
strong and able-bodied coadjutors in this affair. I 
proposed to let any one of them take his place, and 
settle the matter according to Kentucky custom. 
This offer they all declined ; but I saw that by ma- 
neuvering, two or three were about falling on me at 
once, and as I had no one to help me but a brother 
who was a weakly man, I had to rely upon my own 
resources. Fortunately,. I saw a large number of 
brickbats lying near the place where I stood, and I 
used them to great advantage. They all ran into 
the house and locked the door. After a few min- 
utes, the Yankee reappeared with five qv six behind 
him. I was informed that he was armed with a 
dirk, and I was farther informed that this rascal 
had been in the habit of stabbing men before. But 
the coward and his company soon discovered that a 
dirk was a poor instrument to defend a man against 
brickbats. They retreated again hastily and locked 
their door, and sent a messenger to let me know that 



AFFRAY CONCLUDED. 37 

I might have my horse again. So the affray ended. 
Thus passed a dreadful day, and without taking 
shame to myself, or giving gratitude to almighty 
God. 



38 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER II. 

AWAKENING AND CONVERSION. 

About this time Methodist preaching came into 
the neighborhood, and I began to have serious 
thoughts again; but I had come to the conclusion 
that my day of grace was gone forever, having 
spent five or six years since the Spirit of God seemed 
to have left me. Sinning with a high hand and an 
outstretched arm, I thought I had traveled so far 
from God that I never could return. I therefore 
settled in this dark conclusion, " I will make the 
best I can of a short life ; I will enjoy all the 
pleasures the world can afford." 

At this time there certainly was a change for the 
better. Instead of spending the Sabbath days as 
before described, I spent them in the house of God. 
I did not attend the Methodist meeting, but the Se- 
ceders' Church with my father and mother. Here I 
appeared to derive very little benefit, and finally con- 
cluded I would go, for once, and hear the Methodists. 
I thought it was a very feeble sermon, and said to 
my companions, on my way home, that I could preach 
a better sermon myself. I rashly concluded that all 
the evil reports I had heard about the Methodists 
were true, and that I would pay no more attention 



METHODIST PREACHING. 39 

to them ; and as I received no benefit from the Se- 
ceders' meetings, I thought it better to stay at home 
and read the Bible. I read the old Westminster 
Confession of Faith, in the light of the Bible, with a 
view to know if the doctrine of Calvinism was a doc- 
trine of Scripture. I thought if I could satisfy myself 
that Calvinism is true, I would then be at ease ; but 
this I could not do. I saw as clearly as that two 
and two make four, that if the Bible was true, the 
old Confession was false ; and I had been taught from 
early youth, that the Bible was the only and suffi- 
cient rule both of our faith and practice. My heart be- 
gan to cleave unto that blessed book. My convictions 
increased slowly but steadily, till my feelings became 
intense, and at times the hope sprang up in my heart 
that God would have mercy at last. 

One evening I opened my mind to my mother 
upon these subjects, for the first time in all my life. 
As well as I now recollect, her mind appeared to be 
rather dark, but she gave me some good instruction 
and some good advice. She told me that I was under 
conviction — that conviction always preceded conver- 
sion, and that if I continued to seek the Lord he 
would be found of me. The Methodists, at that time, 
were preaching in a little log-cabin near where I 
lived. The house belonged to a very good man by the 
name of Hugh 0. Cull, with whom I was on intimate 
terms, and who often invited me to come and hear 
preaching. But I would not go; I thought my life 
had become intolerable, and then I returned again to 



40 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

folly, and for several months led a desperate life. Re- 
straining grace seemed to have been taken from me. 

About this time the circuit preachers were changed. 
Of the two new preachers one was a middle-aged 
man, by the name of John Page, the other a young 
man by the name of Lewis William Hunt. They 
were preceded by the venerable Henry Smith, then 
in the morning of life. The preacher in charge 
was a very superior man — he was acknowledged by 
all to be of the first order of talents. The young 
man was a fine singer and truly eloquent. Curiosity 
led me to go and hear the new preachers. While the 
preacher in charge was making the first prayer, I 
became convinced that he was a man of God. During 
the sermon I saw things in a new light from what I 
ever had before; my heart became tender and I 
wept freely. I returned full of good desires, and 
here a struggle between nature and grace began in 
good earnest. I had a clear proof that "the carnal 
mind is enmity against God," etc. During that 
week, it appeared that all the powers of darkness 
rallied, and the fallen son of Adam yielded to temp- 
tation. I had a horse-race on hand with a despe- 
rately bad man. I went on to the ground and was very 
near losing my life. This day never can be for- 
gotten by me. I ever regarded it as one of the 
most important epochs in my life. I often trembled 
while reflecting on that eventful day. Here ended 
my wild career. 

On Sunday morning, I went to hear the young 



CONVICTION. 41 

preacher, and when the sermon was over I went out 
and wept bitterly. After the congregation retired 
they held class meeting. It appeared to be an ex- 
cellent meeting. In the evening I went again to 
hear preaching in a private house — for by this time 
they had a small log church built. The house was 
crowded with attentive hearers. I took my seat on 
a large chest near where the preacher stood. An 
aged minister by the name of Daniel Woodfield 
preached. The circuit preacher exhorted, and a 
glorious display of Divine power followed. The 
congregation was melted into tears ; I could com- 
pare it to nothing but a storm of wind. As well 
as I now recollect, the congregation nearly all rose 
from their seats, and began to fall upon the floor 
like trees thrown down by a whirlwind. In a short 
time nearly all the congregation were upon the floor, 
some shouting for joy, others crying aloud for 
mercy. I became very uneasy, and changed my 
position ; while standing on my feet, a pious man 
approached me and addressed me in the following 
words: "Jacob Young, I suppose this appears to 
be enthusiasm to you." I attempted to reply, but 
had lost the power of speech — my tears flowed 
freely, my knees became feeble, and I trembled 
like Belshazzar ; my strength failed and I fell upon 
the floor — the great deep of my heart appeared to 
be broken up. But alas, for me, I knew not what 
to do, my cry was, "Woe is me; I am undone." The 
preacher exhorted and prayed for me, for several 



42 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

hours, but it appeared to avail nothing. The meet- 
ing over, I went to bed with a heavy heart. The 
next morning was the time to try my moral courage ; 
I had to meet my parents. My father, who was 
an overbearing man, was violently opposed to the 
Methodists. I met with a very cold reception, for 
they all knew where I had been. This was a dark 
and dreadful day to my poor soul. I soon retired 
to the solitary grove and sought the Lord with all 
my heart — wandering from tree to tree, moaning 
like a dove that had lost his mate, and faying like 
the crane in the desert. Thus I spent the day, and 
in the evening returned to the house where I had 
received my death wound. The lady of the house, 
who was very pious and gifted, appeared exceedingly 
glad to see me. I took my seat near the fire and 
continued to weep. She inquired how I had spent 
the day ; I gave her no answer, only said, u If I 
could hear singing and praying it would afford me 
some relief/*' Without any ceremony, she arose 
and commenced giving out a hymn, and while they 
sung the first verse, my physical powers gave way. 
I fell upon the floor, and there I lay many hours, 
having no recollection of any thing that passed, only 
that my mind was dark and my soul greatly dis- 
tressed. Toward midnight, the light appeared to 
shine from the south part of heaven, and God, in 
mercy, lifted up the light of his countenance upon 
me, and I was translated from the power of darkies 
into the kingdom of God's dear Son, and rejoiced 



VICTORY AND TRIUMPH. 43 

with joy unspeakable and full of glory. I arose 
from the floor praising God with a loud voice. 

After some time spent in delightful conversation, 
I retired to bed and had a comfortable night's rest 
The next morning I arose early, took a walk up a 
long lane, and, turning, took my stand on a high 
eminence — directing my face toward the east. The 
morning was cold, clear, and beautifully bright ; the 
sun arose in all his splendor ; the heavens appeared 
new ; in fact, the earth and the heavens all appeared 
new — -reminding me of the " new heavens and new 
earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.' , 

This was the first day of my spiritual existence, 
and it was a happy day. Having some temporal 
business to attend to, I did not return to my 
father's house till the evening. The family where 
I transacted the business were related to my own, 
and as they were aware that I would meet with 
great opposition at home, they thought they would 
make the way as easy as possible. So they sent for 
my father and mother to come over and dine with 
them that day. The old people not knowing what 
had taken place, and the company being pleasant, 
they enjoyed themselves well. The lady of the 
house being quite a manager, knew how to turn 
every thing to the best advantage. She embraced 
the propitious opportunity to tell them what had 
happened with regard to their son Jacob. My 
mother appeared to listen with attention and in- 
terest, but my father became angry. They saw the 



44 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

storm was gathering, and all remained silent. The 
old gentleman finally broke silence, and said he 
was sorry that his son, whom he had raised with 
so much tenderness, should disgrace him and his 
family in a strange country — foT we had lived but 
a short time in Kentucky. The gentleman of the 
house tried to pacify him, but all in vain; he left 
the house in a great rage, and went home very 
angry indeed. My mother soon followed, and left 
the family bathed in tears. 

In the evening I returned as happy as a prince. 
While passing the gate on the way home, the gen- 
tleman whose house I had left in the morning, saw 
me and requested me to come in. He related what 
had taken place in the course of the day, and ad- 
vised me not to go home that night. I knew I 
should have to breast the storm, and the sooner 
the better. I bade them all good evening and passed 
on. Before I reached home I kneeled down and 
prayed. I soon arrived at the house, but met with 
a very cold reception. I do not recollect that one 
word was spoken for hours. The family Bible lay 
near where I sat; I opened and commenced reading. 
I then kneeled down and made a short prayer. They 
all looked as if they were astonished — and no won- 
der that they should be surprised to hear their 
wicked Jacob pray — they had often heard him swear, 
but never had heard him pray before. In that mo- 
ment the cloud broke — they all became friendly and 
kind — father, mother, brothers, sisters, all began to 



DOUBT. 45 

cluster around me, and thus the dreaded storm 
passed over. 

My mother's only fear now was that I was de- 
ceived — that I had taken conviction for conversion. 
She was a sensible woman, and very honest, and 
very frequently entered into long and pious conversa- 
tions with me. I spent several weeks in a very 
happy frame of mind. One day, riding by myself, 
my mother's remarks bore heavily on my mind, and 
I was led to take a retrospective view of my past life. 
My crimes appeared before me in very dark colors, 
and doubts began to arise in relation to my con- 
version, and, in one hour from that time, I appeared 
on the verge of despair. My mind grew darker and 
darker, and I came to the dreadful conclusion that 
I was a deceived man — that I had made a profession 
of religion, and had none ; and now my condition 
was worse than it ever had been before. I was not 
acquainted with the devil's devices. While on my 
way home, I passed the house of a very pious family ; 
they hailed me, and invited me to stop. There were 
several members of the Ohurch there, and they 
thought it best to have a prayer meeting. When 
they came near, they saw the tears streaming from 
my eyes. I told them I was a deceived man, and 
rode off with great speed. I left them, as I suppose, 
weeping. 

By this time, nightfall had come on, and I sought 
for the deepest, wildest shade. I left the road, and 
passed into a dense forest. Then I dismounted, and 



16 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

let my horse go, saddle and bridle. As "well as I now 
remember, I kneeled down by the root of a large tree, 
and tried to pray, but all in vain. I rose from my 
knees and went to another place, and kneeled again. 
I cried to God in the bitterness of my spirit, but 
received no answer. I then arose and wandered 
through the dark forest for some hours. After many 
fruitless efforts in this doleful place, I resolved to 
try to find my way home. I arrived there a little 
before daylight, and found the family all asleep. 
My mother heard my well-known step and dismal 
groans, and asked me, with great emphasis, what was 
the matter. Some time passed before I answered. 
During this interval, my parents both arose, and took 
their seats near the fire. I related to them my tale 
of woe, and told them I feared I had been deceived 
with regard to my conversion. My mother told me 
this was what she had been fearing all the time — that 
she saw I was too confident. During this interview, 
many things passed between my parents and myself 
that I can not now recollect. While engaged in con- 
versation, my heart became tender, and tears began 
to flow plentifully, which gave me some relief. My 
mother advised me to lie down and try to sleep. I 
complied with her request, and laid myself down on 
a little pallet by the fire. 

To my great surprise, my dear old father fell 
upon his knees, to pray to almighty God for his 
afflicted son. Being overcome with fatigue, I fell 
asleep. While sleeping, I had a very singular dream. 



DREAM — RELIEF. 47 

In my dream, Satan made his appearance, with a 
large black book in his hand, and urged me, by many 
considerations, to write my name in it. But I re- 
sisted him with all my powers, and felt that I would 
rather die than comply with his request. During this 
conflict with the enemy, the Savior appeared with 
the book of life in his hand. It appeared to be the 
book described by John, in the Apocalypse, in these 
words, "There is another book, which is the book of 
life." He opened the book, and showed me my name 
there recorded. Here the dream ended. 

I slept some time, when I awoke and felt refreshed. 
I took my morning walk, and the dark cloud under 
which I had been laboring passed off, and the Sun 
of righteousness arose upon my soul, with healing in 
his wings, and I went on my way rejoicing. I have 
never been attacked on the same ground from that 
day to this. Prayer meeting night soon came on, 
and I hasted away to tell my brethren the joyful 
news, as many of them had heard of my severe con- 
flict. They had the meeting opened with singing and 
prayer. I then arose, and gave them my simple nar- 
ration, which gave a fresh impetus to the meeting, 
and they had a time of refreshing from the presence 
of the Lord. 

About this time, I spent several very pleasant 
weeks. Almost every body, saint and sinner, ap- 
peared glad that I was converted. I spent the most 
of the time in visiting ; going from house to house, 
I met with many a smiling face and warm shake of 



48 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

the hand. Some few, however, were disappointed; 
but they comforted themselves by saying, "We will 
soon have him back again." Their prediction was, 
that I would not remain in the Church six months ; 
but they were mistaken. Fifty-three years have 
rolled away, and I still stand, a monument of God's 
mercy. I had a beloved brother, Benjamin Young. 
He was a school-teacher. Having heard what had 
taken place, he came to hear and see for himself. 
At the first meeting, he appeared greatly agitated, 
and asked me to walk with him alone. We had not 
conversed an hour, before conviction fastened on him; 
the great deep of his wicked heart seemed broken up. 
He sought and found pardon, through the blood of 
the Redeemer. Two weeks after his conversion, the 
circuit preacher came round, and I went to meeting. 
The congregation was unusually large. The day 
being cold, they held their meeting in a private 
house. Shortly after I reached the place, the vener- 
able man of God rode up to the gate, and I thought 
I never saw such a man before. He rode a large 
black horse, was very neatly dressed, but very plainly. 
He wore a broad-rimmed hat. He was tall and ele- 
gantly built, and his hair hung in beautiful ringlets on 
his manly shoulders. He entered the log-cabin, gave 
out his hymn, the people sung, and he kneeled down 
and prayed. Such a prayer I never heard before. 
He preached an excellent sermon. The people were 
greatly excited. He dismissed them while they were 
bathed in tears, and told them ' he was about to hold 



FIRST CLASS MEETING. 49 

a class meeting. The people nearly all remained. 
This was the first class meeting I ever saw. Some 
wept, others shouted, and others talked very prettily. 
At length the preacher came round to me. I told 
my experience, and received some good advice. He 
then opened the door for Church members. I arose, 
among others who went forward and gave their hands. 
He wrote my name on the class-paper. He was not 
willing to let me go home, and he spent the afternoon 
with me. I was greatly edified, and not a little com- 
forted, by his godly conversation. 

At this time, a glorious revival of religion com- 
menced, which lasted about three years, without inter- 
mission, if I remember correctly. 

My brother Benjamin joined the Church and com- 
menced preaching. Father and mother, and almost 
the whole family, embraced religion and joined the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



50 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER III. 

CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 

There was now a general expectation waked up in 
Church and neighborhood, that God would call me 
to preach. In the prayer meetings, almost every one 
whose voice was heard, would pray that God would 
call me to the ministry. The ministers and old mem- 
bers urged it upon me, but I thought it impossible, 
and paid little or no attention to what they said either 
in their prayers or counsels. 

About this time, our aged presiding elder, Francis 
Pythos, came round, preached, and administered the 
sacraments. His text was, " Comfort ye, comfort ye 
my people, saith your God." As my father and 
mother were divided in their creed, one a Presbyte- 
rian, the other an Episcopalian, I had never been 
baptized. The old elder baptized me just before he 
administered the Lord's supper. This was the first 
time I had ever taken the sacrament of the Lord's 
supper, I had great fears and scruples about ap- 
proaching the holy table. I now considered myself 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and went on my 
way rejoicing; and, from that day to this, I have 
always had an undisputed place within her sacred 
pale. 



EARLY READING. 51 

Now, having laid aside all vain and sinful pleasures, 
I began to feel an intense thirst for knowledge, par- 
ticularly and especially the knowledge of the holy 
Scriptures. Having but few books in the family 
library, I began to search for new books. The first 
that was put into my hands was Freeborn Garrett- 
son's Journal. This I read with great delight, and, 
I humbly trust, with much profit. I thought it was 
one of the finest little books I had ever seen. The 
second book I read was John Nelson and Thomas 
"Walsh's Journal. This was a handsome volume. I 
read it through in a short time, and was much edified 
and instructed, especially in reading the last part. 
The desire to improve my mind increased daily. I 
read the Methodist Discipline and doctrinal tracts, 
and rejoiced greatly to know that I was truly a sen- 
timental Methodist. I continued to read the Bible, 
with other good books, such as Fletcher's Appeal, 
and Baxter's Saints' Rest, Wesley's Sermons, and 
Fletcher's Works. 

While I was reading, studying, and praying, it was 
impressed on my mind that I ought to call sinners to 
repentance. But this I thought I could not do ; there- 
fore, I concluded the impression must have come from 
the wicked one, and I resisted. About this time the 
leading members began to urge me to exhort, which 
alarmed and really terrified me. I steadfastly re- 
sisted their invitation, and the internal convictions, for 
one whole year. During this time I lost my comfort, 
and fell into doubts and darkness. No one could give 



52 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

me any comfort. Sometimes I appeared on the brink 
of despair, and was strongly tempted to take my 
Bible and go into a hermitage. I thought about 
crossing the Ohio river, and seeking a lonely cave in 
the wilderness, where I should see the face of man no 
more. But God, in great mercy, sustained me, and 
his returning grace prevented me from taking any 
wrong step. At times I found relief by reading the 
holy Scriptures, and praying in secret, and had some 
gracious visitations in prayer and class meetings. 
The Church watched over me with great care, and did 
every thing in their power to help me forward. The 
Baptist Church seemed to take a more lively interest 
in my prosperity than the Methodist. 

About this time, I began to yield to what I under- 
stood to be a divine call. There were two other 
young men in the society exercised in the same man- 
ner. We often spoke, one to the other, and I believe 
the Lord often heard and answered us. We agreed, 
one evening, that we would appoint a meeting the 
next evening, at a certain place. The ensuing morn- 
ing, without eating or drinking, we all met in a re- 
tired grove, and spent the day in fasting, weeping, 
and praying, till two o'clock in the afternoon. At 
that time we all appeared filled with the Holy Ghost, 
and came together shouting the high praises of God, 
for each one had been by himself. We spent some 
time in delightful conversation, and then attended our 
previous appointment. One opened the meeting 
with singing and prayer, rose up, took a text, and 



FIRST PREACHING. 53 

preached a sermon. It was his first attempt. The 
large congregation appeared delighted above measure. 
The other one rose and tried to exhort — had but little 
to say — sat down and wept. Then came Jacob's turn. 
I, like poor Ephraim, spoke tremblingly. I knew not 
that he exalted himself in Israel. The congregation 
were bathed in tears. When dismissed they clustered 
around me, shook my hand, and some of them wished 
me God-speed. I went home happy enough. I 
thought I was delivered from the snare of the fowl- 
er — that I should learn war no more. But the devil 
had not given me up yet. His next attack was from 
an unexpected quarter. A number of the brethren 
heard of our meetings, and success, and concluded 
they were called, also, and would go to preaching too. 
I thought they were deceived, for I felt confident that 
some of them never could preach, and, if they were 
deceived, in all probability I was deceived, also, and 
that I was going to injure the cause I had espoused, 
and I would make no farther attempt myself, and 
advised them all to be quiet. I laid my books all aside 
except the Bible, and went to hard labor. I read, 
and prayed, and sung, more or less, every day ; but, 
in a few weeks, I lost my comfort, and had no access to 
a throne of grace. I moaned like the dove and chat- 
tered like the swallow. My desire for a hermit's life 
returned. While I was thus doubting, my brother 
Benjamin was preaching with great success. A revi- 
val had broken out under his ministry, at the mouth 
of the Kentucky river. He returned home greatly 



54 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

elated, and, by persuasive arguments, almost com- 
pelled me to go with him the next week. We arrived 
at the place in good time, and met a large congre- 
gation. There was a venerable old minister there, 
by the name of Henry Ogborne ; he had heard my 
name — by what means I know not. My brother de- 
livered a short lecture, and the old gentleman arose, 
and, after looking over the congregation for some 
time, he made this curious remark: "I understand 
there is a man in the congregation by the name of 
Jacob. In ancient times there was a man of the same 
name — he wrestled with God, and prevailed — and, 
now we are going to call on our brother Jacob to 
pray ; and we hope, while he wrestles in prayer, he 
may become a prevailing Israel." I was very much 
alarmed, but kneeled down, and cried unto God with 
my whole heart. When I closed my short prayer, 
the congregation seemed much excited — had no 
mourner's bench— but, while we were singing, they 
began to fall from their seats, till the floor was 
pretty well covered with weeping mourners. Several 
were converted, the meeting closed, and we went to 
our lodging-places. I spent a week here, and I had a 
time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. A 
very extensive revival commenced at that time, reach- 
ing up and down the Ohio river, and spreading out on 
the hills, till many sinners were happily converted to 
God. Hearing of the revival gave a fresh impetus to 
our own settlement, the good work increasing with 
energy, till I left home. 



SAMUEL PARKER. 55 

About this time a young man came into our 
vicinity, from Pennsylvania — one Samuel Parker — 
a man of rare abilities. Nature had done much for 
him, and his mind was highly improved by education, 
and, withal, he was a man of deep piety, and one of 
the sweetest singers I ever heard. He had been well 
trained in all the peculiarities of Methodism. He 
was soon appointed class-leader, and, indirectly, had 
charge of all the classes, belonging to the society. 
He took me under his special care, and took great 
pains to put my mind under proper training. During 
the first winter of his residence near Newcastle, I 
spent the most of my time in his shop. He was my 
preceptor, and I was a willing student. The winter 
soon passed off, spring came on, and I was compelled 
to go to work to make an honest living. I was en- 
gaged in building brick-houses — labored hard through 
the day, and studied in the evening. 

During all this time my mind was painfully exer- 
cised on the subject of preaching. Mr. Parker, and 
many others, urged me continually to take up the 
cross, sometimes coaxing, and sometimes telling me 
the fearful consequences if I continued to resist the 
Holy Spirit. But I endeavored to turn a deaf ear 
to all their entreaties. Sometimes, when Parker 
crowded me hard, I would retaliate, and ask him, 
" Why do you not preach, yourself ? I know you can 
preach, and I know I can not." To that question he 
never gave me any answer, but would turn away and 
leave me. Amidst all my trials I was very attentive 



56 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

to secret prayer, reading the holy Scriptures, and 
going to meeting. I rarely missed my class meeting, 
and was often greatly blessed. I made one attempt 
to exhort, in the spring, but was greatly embarrassed, 
and resolved never to attempt it again. During the 
summer my friends ceased to say any thing to me on 
the subject. 

By the time the summer ended, I was nearly rid 
of these impressions, and began to think seriously of 
settling myself in the world. I made my home at 
this time with a Captain Masterman, a wealthy man, 
who owned a very large farm on the Ohio bottom, 
and a great many negro slaves. He and his wife 
appeared to love me as they did their own son. He 
washed me to take charge of his farm, and all of his 
hands, on such terms as I could not fail to make a 
fortune in a few years. The prospect being so flatter- 
ing, I concluded to comply with his wishes. My old 
class-leader having heard this, entered his solemn pro- 
test against it. He told me, in an authoritative voice, 
it would be my final ruin. He talked to the Captain 
rather severely, and we concluded to dissolve the con- 
tract by mutual consent. 

One Sabbath morning I went to the house of God, 
as usual,— walking with my old class-leader — White- 
head, a venerable old man — by my side, carrying a 
Bible in his arms. When we came near the house, 
we found a large congregation, and no one to preach. 
The leader turning to me, said, " Take the Bible and 
go up into the pulpit, and preach them a sermon." 



LABORING IN THE GOSPEL. 57 

Hardly thinking what I was doing, I immediately 
took the Bible. 

After I had gone into the house, I shuddered at 
the thought of what I had undertaken, but it was 
too late to draw back. I ascended the sacred desk 
with trembling, sung a hymn, kneeled down, and tried 
to pray that the Holy Spirit might give me under- 
standing. I arose, and read my text, which was 
John iii, 26: "He that believeth in the Son." It 
is right to say the Holy One gave me great freedom 
of speech, and I felt as I had never done before. 
The Bible no longer appeared a sealed book ; my 
soul entered with great delight into the heavenly 
mysteries and glorious privileges of the kingdom of 
God. While I was trying to preach, the people wept 
and shouted. I could adopt the language of the 
poet, and say — 

" My dungeon shook, my chains fell off," etc. 

For several months, 

"Not a cloud did arise, to darken my skies." 

Although I had no license to preach I became the 
servant of all, holding prayer meetings, exhorting, 
and preaching whenever I was called upon, both 
among the Methodists and Baptists. 

The Lord, in some small degree, blessed my feeble 
labors, and, after many a painful struggle, I con- 
sented, if the Lord would help me, to be a minister 
of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

But I thought I never could preach without a 



58 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

liberal education. How to obtain this I knew not. 
By the providence of God I became acquainted with 
a gentleman from Edinburgh, Scotland. He had 
been educated for the ministry, but declined, owing 
to an impediment in his speech. He used to come 
and hear me exhort and preach, and soon became 
one of my best friends. Although he was a rigid 
predestinarian, he was very anxious I should succeed 
as a Methodist preacher. He opened a school in 
the town of Newcastle, and invited me to attend. 
He prepared to take me through a literary, scien- 
tific, and theological course, which, according to his 
notions, would prepare me for the ministry. I saw 
it would take some time to arrange my temporal 
matters so that I could go through without any em- 
barrassment. 

While I was thus engaged, by some means, I 
never could fully ascertain the cause, I lost my 
comfort. God appeared to hide his countenance from 
me. The Bible became a sealed book; but my 
mind was steadfast, and I was still determined to 
acquire a good education. I made myself ready, 
purchased some books, and took my place in the 
seminary, surrounded by a company of young men. 
I pursued my studies for some months ; every thing 
appeared to go on delightfully, till one evening, I 
went with my friend Parker to hold a meeting. 
After services were over, I went to bed in my usual 
health. I was attacked with a violent fever, and 
severe pain in my head, which I thought would ter- 



GREAT WESTERN REVIVAL. 59 

initiate my earthly existence, and I expected, in a 
short time, to stand before the bar of God. 

After taking a retrospect of my life since my 
conversion, there was only one thing that lay heavily 
on my mind, and that was, refusing to obey my 
call to the ministry; although, during the several 
months of prosperity I had labored considerably. I 
had taken a long tour into what is now called 
middle Tennessee — traveled four weeks on Nashville 
circuit, two weeks with my father in the Gospel — 
Rev. John Page — and two weeks with my brother 
Benjamin. They were amidst the great western 
revival which took place in 1799. The Presbyterians 
and Methodists appeared then to become as one 
people. I saw as many as ten thousand people 
assemble in groves, and continue their meetings ten 
or twelve days. They had no tents, but lodged in 
the neighborhood at nights, and repaired to the 
grove early in the morning. Hundreds and thou- 
sands, from different parts of the country, were con- 
verted. This revival extended a heavenly influence 
throughout the state of Tennessee, south-western 
Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky; in fact, 
throughout the United States. But as there will 
be occasion to refer to this again, I will now return 
to my own narrative. 

I went home, and found our circuit preacher dan- 
gerously sick. I filled some of his appointments, 
and was greatly blessed of the Lord. The Rev. L. 
W. Hunt came on to our circuit, and, for a time, 



60 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

filled the appointments till the circuit preacher re- 
covered. We had a most glorious summer. Brother 
Hunt's labors were too hard, and he went home, and 
died of pulmonary consumption in the fall. 

Our circuit preacher — -the Rev. John Sale — went 
to conference ; brother Parker returned to his shop, 
and I to my school. The conference was soon over, 
and the new preacher came on to the circuit. His 

name was Hezekiah H ; he was a small, feeble 

man to all appearance, but could endure as much 
labor, and preach as many sermons in a week, as 
almost any man I ever knew. When he was preach- 
ing and praying, it often seemed as if the heavens 
and earth were coming together. 

About this time I was a very happy man. At the 
last quarterly meeting of the conference just closed, 
I was licensed to preach, in September, 1801. The 
day I received my license was a precious day to my 
soul. I think I shall remember it in time and in 
eternity. We had a new presiding elder as well as a 
new preacher. The elder came on first. Our former 
elder having failed through age and infirmity, his 
place was filled by the Rev. William M'Kendree, 
who was then in his forty-fifth year, in the vigor 
of health. He was a distinguished minister of the 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

I suppose, from the imperfect knowledge I then 
had of Church matters, that he found the district in 
bad order. It covered the whole of Kentucky and 
Tennessee. The elder that preceded him was a very 



WILLIAM M'KENDREE. 61 

old man. The roads were bad and the rides very- 
long ; there were few religious people, and few places 
where they could stay with comfort. The burden 
was too heavy for the good old man, and he sunk 
under it. 

M'Kendree had been but a few months on the 
ground till he understood perfectly his field of labor — 
moving, day and night, visiting families, organizing 
societies, and holding quarterly conferences. It was 
his constant practice to travel from thirty to fifty 
miles in a day, and preach at night. All classes of 
people flocked to hear him — statesmen, lawyers, doc- 
tors, and theologians of all denominations clustered 
around him, saying, as they returned home, " Did you 
ever hear the like before V Some, indeed, were so 
captivated, that they would say, " Never man spake 
like this man." He saw that the harvest was truly 
great and the laborers few. Early in the morning 
and late in the evening, with streaming eyes he 
prayed God, with hands and heart uplifted, that he 
would send forth more laborers into the harvest. 

He was actively engaged in forming new circuits, 
and calling out local preachers to fill them. When- 
ever he found a young man of piety and native 
talent, he led him out into the Lord's vineyard; 
and large as his district was, it soon became too 
small for him. He extended his labors to every 
part of south-western Virginia, then crossing the 
Ohio river, he carried the holy war into the state of 
Ohio; and there he formed new charges and called 



62 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

out young men. He did not say, " Go, boys ;" for in 
almost every case he went before them. They found 
that he gloried in doing the hardest of the work, and 
his example inspired them with the same spirit. 

There was no seeking for good stations and easy 
circuits among those hardy pioneers. If there was 
any competition among them, it was for the hardest 
circuits and poorest pay. These servants could truly 
say with St. Paul, " We glory in tribulation also." 
These were prosperous days for the Church of God 
in the great western valley. M'Kendree, like a 
noble general, was always in the first ranks, followed 
by such men as Thomas Wilkinson, John Page, Lewis 
Garret, and Jesse Walker. Under the supervision of 
these men, the preachers were stationed. Through- 
out the length and breadth of the west, as far as the 
country was settled, M'Kendree was first in counsel 
and first in action. If he appeared on a camp-ground 
every eye was upon him, and his word was law. In 
private circles, quarterly conferences, and annual 
conferences, he was the master-spirit. 

The circuit in which I lived was very large, extend- 
ing from the mouth of the Kentucky river, on the 
Ohio, all the way to the sinks of Green river, with 
only one preacher. He was not able to do all the 
work. The people being poor could not support 
him. I was then going to school, enjoying myself 
well — a willing servant to almost every one that 
called upon me. I tried to preach every Sabbath, 
studying my sermons on Saturday evenings under 



AT SCHOOL. G3 

the direction of Rev. Samuel Parker. My neighbors 
loved me and I loved them, and in some degree my 
labors were blessed. 



64 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER IV. 

ENTERS THE ITINERANCY. 

Some time in the month of December, I received a 
summons from the presiding elder to meet him at the 
mouth of the Kentucky, on a certain day. On the 
next morning, quite early, Parker and myself were on 
our horses and on our way to the above-named place. 
"We arrived in town early in the afternoon. The pre- 
siding elder was at Captain Masterson's, three miles 
up the Ohio river. We made an appointment for Par- 
ker to preach at early candle-light, and intended to 
go up and hear the presiding elder Sabbath morning. 
Before night the Captain and elder came down and 
attended our meeting. It was the second or third 
time Parker ever attempted to preach. The cross 
was very heavy but he succeeded well. Sabbath I 
think we had a love-feast ; at eleven the elder gave 
us one of his best sermons. We had a feast of manna 
and fat things. To my surprise, when he had closed 
his sermon, he gave notice that I would preach at 
early candle-light. I thought I could not sustain 
myself under the cross. I spent the afternoon in 
prayer and meditation. 

The hour arrived. I took the stand, felt a good 
deal as if "I had been sent for and could not go." 



M'KENDREE'S URGENCY. 65 

The house was well filled. M'Kendree seated him- 
self before me, looking me full in the face ; the Cap- 
tain sat on one side of M'Kendree, and his wife on 
the other. I sung, prayed, and read my text. The 
cloud broke — I felt nothing more of the cross at that 
time. My text was the first Psalm. Parker ex- 
horted, M'Kendree lectured, prayed, and dismissed 
the congregation. M'Kendree then invited Parker 
and myself to go up stairs, where he had a comfort- 
able fire. There we spent some time in secret prayer, 
and conversing on religious experience. He then 
gave us his views on what he considered a Divine 
call to the Christian ministry. He then asked us 
if we did not think we were called to preach. We 
answered him in the best manner we could. He 
told us he had heard the reports with regard to our 
religious exercises and success. There were two 
vacancies in the district he wished us to fill. He 
urged his request by many weighty arguments and 
exhortations. We declined giving a decisive answer; 
the conference closed and we went to bed. 

The conversation was resumed the next morning, 
and continued for several hours. Parker came to a 
decision first — it was that he could not go. He was so 
decided that M'Kendree gave him up. He turned to 
me with redoubled energy ; told me the fearful conse- 
quences of disobeying a Divine call. The last effort 
that I made to resist his argument was that I was 
not qualified. He replied, "I know you are not 
qualified, but we must do the best we can to supply 



66 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

the work — go and try." I said, "I will." He 
seemed pleased and told me to meet him on the 
17th of February, at Tolbert's meeting-house, in 
Shelby county, Kentucky. This was in 1802. 

I hastened home and made preparations to go on 
the circuit. From December 20th to the middle of 
February, was a time that tried my soul. My 
temptations were new and strange. At times I 
could adopt the language of Beatta: " My thoughts 
went to roam from shade unto shade, destruction 
before and sorrow behind." All my friends, both 
in and out of the Church, said, " Go ;" but it ap- 
peared to me it was a work I could not perform. 
I spent the most of my time in prayer. 

At length, the clouds dispersed and I saw my 
way clear, under pleasing impressions that God had 
called me to this high and holy work. I entered 
into a calm, settled peace — not a shallow stream, but 
like a river, deep and wide. At the time appointed, 
I met the elder at Tolbert's meeting-house, heard him 
preach an excellent sermon, and was appointed to 
fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Ga- 
briel Woodfield. 

The preacher in charge received me very cordially. 
Some of the gray-headed members of the quarterly 
conference looked and acted as if they were disap- 
pointed. I had a youthful appearance, having 
scarcely any beard. Their looks seemed to say, 
" What can that boy do ?" Several fine local 
preachers rallied round me and said — as I was after- 



PREACHING OF M'KENDREE. 67 

ward informed — "He will do very well;" among 
whom was Philip Taylor, Edward Tolbert, Charles 
Sherman, and Joseph Ferguson. These men were 
my steadfast friends during my sojourn among them. 

The conference closed, and I went to my lodgings 
with a cheerful heart. On Sabbath morning we had 
a love-feast. It was a time of refreshing from the 
presence of the Lord. M'Kendree appeared filled 
with the Holy Ghost, tears flowing from his eyes, 
His voice was sweeter than a dulcimer. The min- 
ister appeared clothed with salvation, and the saints 
shouted aloud for joy. 

It was ascertained on opening the door, that the 
house would not contain more than one-fourth of 
the congregation. The day being clear and very 
mild for that season of the year, M'Kendree took up 
his books and walked into a beautiful lot near the 
church. A large crowd followed him. Herriman was 
on one side, Parker on the other. He stepped upon 
a large stump, read a chapter, gave out his hymn; 
Parker led the singing. He was, without exception, 
the best singer I ever heard. The congregation 
joined, and it was heavenly music. M'Kendree 
preached. I have heard him preach many fine ser- 
mons, but that was the best I ever listened to from 
his mouth. Meeting closed, and we retired full of 
joy and peace. Much lasting good was done on 
that day. 

I returned home on Monday, settled all my little 
affairs, procured me a pair of saddle-bags, and filled 



68 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

them with clothes and books. On "Wednesday, I took 
my leave of my father's family. I went to an old log 
meeting-house, near Newcastle, Henry county. Here 
I preached my first sermon as an itinerant minister. 
My text was, "Lo, we have forsaken all, and followed 
thee; what shall we have, therefore?" During this 
hour, I felt that I had forsaken the world — father, 
mother, brothers, sisters, and all my friends, to follow 
Christ. This was one of the happiest days of my 
life. I went to brother Samuel Parker's boarding- 
house, spent the evening in receiving instruction from 
his sanctified lips. At a late hour, we retired to rest. 
I arose early the next morning, spent some hours in 
secret prayer and meditation. I prayed with the 
family, breakfasted with Hugh 0. Cull and his be- 
loved Rachel. With this kind family, I spent many 
a happy day. I started to my next appointment. I 
could truly say, "Great peace have they that keep 
thy law : and nothing shall offend them." I was at 
peace with God and all mankind. 

About 11 o'clock, I arrived at Nathaniel Tolbert's 
meeting-house. There I found a congregation wait- 
ing for me, and I tried to preach. I left early the 
next morning, and their prayers and good wishes fol- 
lowed me. I then rode to Edward Tolbert's meeting- 
house, where the quarterly meeting had been held the 
week before, and had a time of refreshing from the 
presence of the Lord. I staid all night with Rev. 
E. Tolbert, who gave me much good advice. The 
next morning, with a smiling countenance, he shook 



WOODFIELD — TAYLOR-DUNCAN. 69 

my hand and bade me farewell. Saturday, I had a 
long ride, and came to the house of one Wright, and 
preached. We had no preaching-place here, but Mr. 
W. had a large dwelling-house, of which he gave up 
the largest room. He built a pulpit, and seated the 
room. I tried to preach, but had not much liberty. 
My friend, Gabriel Woodfield, followed me. We were 
met, in the evening, by Rev. Philip Taylor. Wood- 
field rose above all his clouds, and, in the afternoon, 
preached a most excellent sermon. We rode home 
with brother Taylor, and found every thing in fine 
order; and, after tea, the two theologians sat down 
to discuss important subjects. I took my seat as a 
tyro, to listen to the conversation. We had a pleas- 
ant evening, and a comfortable night's rest. Wood- 
field returned home, and I went on my way rejoicing. 
I rode to Chaplain's Fork, where was a great revival. 
They said my congregation would be large, and that 

I would have many critics to deal with. The cross 
was exceedingly heavy. I arose very early on Sab- 
bath morning, went to the grove, studied hard till 

II o'clock, came to the meeting-house, and preached. 
I had great freedom of speech. The congregation 
was deeply affected, and several joined the Church. 
In this place lived Samuel Duncan. He was like 
John the Baptist, both a burning and shining light. 
He appeared to take a very lively interest in me. 
He saw that I was young, had little experience, and 
not much learning. I suppose he thought I had a 
mind worth cultivating, therefore he took uncommon 



70 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

pains with me. On Monday morning, I left this 
delightful neighborhood, traveled through a broken 
country, and put up with a gentleman by the name 
of Head. He had a large family, was a very clever 
man, and had a very pleasant wife. Although I was 
an entire stranger, the family clustered around me as 
if I had been a relative. The next day, I preached to 
a small congregation. Went to a little town called 
Springfield, in Washington county. I put up with 
a Methodist local preacher, by the name of Moody. 
Here I was introduced to the far-famed Felix Grundy. 
He was then a distinguished man at the bar, and, af- 
terward, a distinguished politician, and was one of 
the steadfast friends of General Jackson. He took 
a very active part in raising the General to that pre- 
eminence he held in the affections and confidence of 
his fellow-citizens. He removed from Springfield, 
Ky., to Nashville, Tenn., where he lived long, and 
acquired great popularity, fought many a hard battle 
with his political enemies, and died lamented by his 
friends. Here, too, I learned something of the Hon. 
Robert Wickliffe. He was the antagonist of Grundy. 
This antagonism first appeared in a paper war; sec- 
ondly, at the bar — they were both eminent in their 
profession ; thirdly, they took opposite sides in poli- 
tics. Wickliffe and Grundy lived long, and flourished 
in their day; but, with all their strength and influ- 
ence, they have past away like a tale that is told. 
This little Springfield was a distinguished place, and 
ornamented by some great men. I found a pleasant 



M'HENRY-FATHER THOMAS. 71 

home in the house of John Springer, and spent some 
happy days in his domicil. His family were grown 
up, very pleasant and lovely. His sons entertained 
me with many good things. The young ladies kept 
my clothes in good order. The most distinguished 
man I met was Barnabas M'Henry. I may truly say 
he was a man by himself. He was, at least, fifty 
years before the time in which he lived. He had not 
a collegiate education, but was one of the best English 
scholars I ever saw. I feel myself greatly indebted 
to that good man for the instruction I received from 
him at that early period of my life. 

My next appointment was at what is called 
Thomas's meeting-house. I went to this place 
with fear and trembling, for I had heard many 
things of old father Thomas. He was very severe 
on the young preachers, often telling them, if they 
could do no better, they had better go home. I 
prayed much on my way thither. He met me at the 
door, and gave me a very cool reception. He was 
a large man, of rough features, stern countenance, 
and of great decision ; withal, he was very rich, and 
felt his own importance. He sat down and looked 
at me as if he would examine my head and heart, 
and I felt very uneasy. Mrs. Thomas entered the 
room with a smiling countenance, shook my hand, 
and gave me a hearty welcome. She was a fine 
figure, and reminded me of what I had read of Lady 
Huntingdon. Her mind was filled with good sense, 
and her heart overflowed with charity. 



72 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

The congregation soon assembled. As the day 
"was cold, and there "was no stove in the meeting- 
house, they concluded to have preaching in the house, 
which was large enough to accommodate them. I 
arose under a heavy cross, and went to a little stand. 
My Bible being in one pocket, and my hymn-book 
in the other, I was not dependent on any one for 
books. My congregation was gay for those early 
days. The above-named Wickliffe sat before me. 
I read my hymn, they sang, and I kneeled down 
to pray. The clouds dispersed, and in the light 
of almighty God I saw light. I had studied my 
text well, and the Lord gave me great liberty. Old 
father Thomas wept freely, his brother shouted, 
and his wife praised God with a loud voice. Brother 
Thomas was never cross to me after that day. I 
had a pleasant night and most delightful morning. 

I took a long ride to a place called " Level 
Woods," on the sinks of Green river, met with a 
local preacher — Rev. John Baird — and a large so- 
ciety, under the influence of a large revival. I went 
on to Sovereign valley; preached in a house of Mr. 
Rollins's ; found a small society, very low in religion. 
I now bent my course north, and went by a trib- 
utary stream of Salt river, called Nolind, arrived 
at my preaching-place in good time, and found a 
good congregation. They had had a revival the 
year before, and its influence was still felt. I went 
on my journey, reached the neighborhood of Dry 
Licks, and put up with Mr. Gravill. I found him a 



ALEXANDER CAMERON. 73 

perfect gentleman. His wife was pious, and his 
eldest daughter a pattern of good works. I felt as 
if I had found a paradise. I formed an acquaint- 
ance with a family in this place, which was a source 
of comfort and profit for many years. A branch 
of the same family resided in Montgomery county, 
Maryland ; and afterward moved to Mercer county, 
Pennsylvania. The name of the family was Crow. 
I shall have occasion to speak of them hereafter. 

My ministry was much blessed of the Lord in this 
place. My next appointment was at one Simmons's, 
near Salt river. He was a man of very few words, 
but sound in principle. His wife, and one of her 
sisters, were very sprightly. They were members 
of the Baptist Church, but were really thorough 
Methodists in principle and practice. 

I crossed Salt river, and went to a little' meeting- 
house called Hall's Chapel, where I met with the 
Rev. Alexander Cameron. I never think of this 
man without some regret. He locked arms with me, 
and walked the grove. After some conversation, 
I invited him to preach for me. He said, with a 
smile, " I have come to hear you." I insisted. He 
said, " 0, well, I will preach." His text was 
John i, 14: "The Word was made flesh," etc. It 
was a masterly sermon. I gained some new ideas 
from that sermon that I retain to the present time. 
Mr. Cameron was a native of Scotland, and received 
the best education that Edinburgh could afford in 
his day. He belonged to the Presbyterian Church, 



74 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

and after he entered into holy orders, emigrated to 
America, and settled near Shelbyville, Kentucky. 
There he opened a high school for young men, in 
which he intended to train them for the ministry. 

From this place I rode to Floyd Fork, and 
preached, and met a class of a hundred members — 
held prayer meeting nearly all night, and received 
several to the Church. Thence, the next day, I 
reached old Mr. Harriman's — an old Methodist, 
and a very pleasant family — preached, and, having 
spent the night, and received much instruction from 
my kind host, rode on to Rev. Jacob Lurtins, a local 
preacher. Thence I went to Harrod's creek — found 
a large society, and a glorious revival. I continued 
my round to John Locke's, where was a settlement 
of Virginians, and the next day I rode to the mouth 
of Kentucky river; and, having had sundry excellent 
meetings in these parts, I found myself once more at 
my father's house. 

I had now just completed my first round on Salt 
River circuit, and had been gone six weeks. During 
that time I suppose I traveled five hundred miles, 
and preached about fifty sermons — held many class 
meetings and prayer meetings — visited many families, 
and still I had much time to read and study. The 
first man I met in this little village — Newcastle — 
was my preceptor, Dr. Prindle. He was still in his 
school, surrounded by a fine company of promising 
Kentucky boys. I found the door into the school 
still open for me ; and he was still very anxious to 



HARNESSED FOR BATTLE. 75 

carry me through a literary, scientific, and theological 
course. 

I met with many friends glad to see me, and I was 
equally glad to see them. Among the most distin- 
guished was my instructor, Samuel Parker, Holland 
Thomas, James Bartlett, Anthony Bartlett, Esquire 
Rue, Hugh 0. Cull, Jacob Meek, with many others 
equally beloved and worthy. 

I now began to feel myself pretty well harnessed 
for the battle. My soul had caught missionary fire, 
and I felt disposed to go on. I could adopt the 
language of the poet — 

" The vast, the unbounded prospect lay before me, 
But no shadows, doubts, or darkness, rested on it." 

I felt that I was an itinerant minister ; but, 0, 
how little did I think I should travel fifty-five years ! 
I had but little time to stay at home, my appoint- 
ments having been given out at Cull's meeting- 
house, where I commenced my second round. 

Monday was a resting day, and was a day of much 
thought and anxiety to my mind. All this day I was 
halting between two opinions — whether to follow the 
convictions of my own mind, or the opinions of 
M'Kendree, Parker, and the members of the Method- 
ist Church, in general, as far as I was acquainted 
with them. When I first became pious, and con- 
cluded that I was called to preach, I had no thought 
of embarking in that great work, till I had obtained 
a liberal education. It appeared as if Providence 



76 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

had put it into my power to obtain this with very 
little expense. Prindle's Academy was still anxious 
to receive me. Mr. Cameron was teaching a superior 
academy, in Shelby, where I could receive instruction 
nearly gratis, under the care of a man who seemed 
to love me as a father. I was then a strong, active, 
laboring man, and could do as much work as any 
young man in either of the counties, and could have 
cash for it every Saturday night. I could meet all 
my expenses, and, in the course of five years, become 
a scholar. But my presiding elder, my colleague, 
with many others, advised me to go on with what 
knowledge and experience I had. I went in the 
name of the Lord. Although I have been unfaithful 
to God in many things, yet, so far as the peculiar 
duties of a Methodist preacher are concerned, I have 
done my very best. I have made every other pursuit 
bend to this. I have sacrificed ease, worldly comfort, 
and the accommodation of my family — received but 
small temporal compensation, and, part of the time, 
lived in poverty. I have spent fifty-four years in 
this glorious work, and, though I feel great reverence 
for the opinions of my early friends in the Methodist 
Church, yet I am constrained to say, that my early 
convictions on this point were right. While I have 
been endeavoring to do the work of an evangelist, 
and make full proof of my ministry, no human being 
but myself knows what I have suffered. If my em- 
barrassments, anxieties, mortifications, and disap- 
pointments, in carrying out my great plans for doing 



LOCAL PREACHERS. 77 

good, were written in a book, it would make a large 
folio. I advise all Methodist preachers, presiding 
elders, and bishops, when they find a young man 
thirsting for knowledge, that they let him pursue his 
own course, and encourage him in it. 

I traveled this delightful circuit eight months, and, 
at a large majority of our preaching-places, the revi- 
val continued all the time. The Lord blessed the 
labors of my colleague in a very extraordinary man- 
ner. He had an elastic body and an untiring soul. 
His zeal sustained him under his almost unparalleled 
labors. He held three days' meetings almost every 
week, greatly assisted by the local preachers living 
on the circuit. There appeared to be a union of feel- 
ing between the traveling and local preachers on this 
circuit. They were really men of God, thoroughly 
furnished for every good work. I will name a few 
that seemed to take the lead, Barnabas M'Henry, 
Elijah Sparks, both lawyer and preacher, Gabriel 
Woodfield, Henry Ogborne, Joseph Ferguson, Edward 
Tolbert, Philip Taylor, Charles Sherman. These 
men will never be forgotten by me while life lasts. I 
trust to renew their acquaintance in heaven. To 
God be all the glory! 

It fell to my lot to keep up the regular appoint- 
ments. I received a letter of instruction from my 
colleague almost every day. He still continued to 
take in new preaching-places. When we closed our 
labors here we had about fifty-eight appointments. 
These I endeavored to fill regularly, beside preach- 



78 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ing often at night, holding prayer meetings, and visit- 
ing and comforting mourners. 

Many things took place on this circuit worthy to 
be recorded. Some I will mention. The revival be- 
came very extensive in Henry and Gallatin counties. 
Our Baptist brethren took a very active part in this 
good work. Their able preachers used to come down 
from what were then called the upper counties of 
Kentucky, and preach over the above-named counties. 
Some of them were very able ministers — such as Am- 
brose Dudley, Moses Bledsoe, and many others. 

Bledsoe was one of the best I ever heard of that 
denomination. I used to hear him frequently before 
I began to travel. At times I was so charmed with 
his sweet eloquence, that when the sermon was over I 
could hardly rise from my seat. They had one or 
two able preachers living in these two counties. We 
worked for a while in great peace and harmony, and 
when they came into our settlement, if Parker and 
myself did not attend their meetings, they would send 
for us. 

At a certain time old Joseph Cragg, in company 
with a brother Ashur, put up at Mr. James Bartlett's. 
They sent for Parker and myself — this took place be- 
fore I began to travel — and told us they had come to 
visit the county generally, and wished us to go with 
them. We agreed to do so as far as practicable. We 
began our meetings that evening, and continued them 
for a number of days. Old father Cragg was a very 
eccentric man, who could not preach much. Brother 



THE BAPTIST'S PROPOSAL. 79 

Ashur was a plain man, of little preaching abilities. 
Having arose to preach, one day, in the Methodist 
meeting-house, he stood and looked over the congre- 
gation a long time and at length said, " I believe we 
are nearly all Baptists to-day. As this is a meeting- 
house belonging to the Methodists, I had thought 
they would be here ; but, I am informed, they have 
not come. And, as for brothers Parker and Young, 
I want them to be Baptists. I hope they will come 
forward, give in their experience, and be baptized, 
that they may be useful to the people." 

He stood waiting for a reply, and the congregation 
turned their eyes upon us — brother Ashur still stand- 
ing in the pulpit, and old brother Cragg almost shout- 
ing happy. Parker bowed his head nearly to his 
knees, his face being covered. I jogged him several 
times, but could not make him stir. At length, I was 
compelled to arise myself. I told the congregation 
that they knew we had been very friendly to our 
Baptist brethren, and had taken great pleasure in 
attending their meetings. We rejoiced to carry on 
the revival in union with them, but if they expected 
to make proselytes of us they would be greatly disap- 
pointed. We were Methodists, and well satisfied with 
the Church of our choice. 

The poor brother looked as if he were frightened. 

' Cragg saw that he had gone too far. He seized our 

hands, and began to say, "I am sorry, I am sorry, 

brother. I hope you will not be hurt." This made 

such confusion, that they had hardly any meeting. 



80 TIFTT TEARS IH THE ITINERANCY. 

The congregation retired, to all appearances, very 
much mortified. This was our last union meeting. 

The Baptists then began to try to make proselytes 
throughout both counties. They preached hardly 
any thing else but baptism by immersion. Our elder 
came round to hold his quarterly meeting at the 
mouth of Kentucky river. On Sabbath, he preached 
a sermon on baptism. There -were a great many 
Baptists in the congregation; among others, a very 
respectable old lady by the name of Cragg, who be- 
came so deeply affected that you could hear her 
breathe all over the house. The friends had to carry 
her out, else she would have fallen on the floor. An 
aged man rose up, and addressed the preacher in the 
following words, "Sir, you have preached lies this 
day, and I can prove it from the word of God." The 
elder replied, very mildly, " You had better take your 
seat and be still. I am sorry the lady's feelings are 
hurt. I will do any thing in my power to allay 
them/'' Confusion became so great that he did not 
finish his sermon. 

The circuit preacher arose, and gave, what I would 
call, a very severe lecture, in which he reproved the 
Baptist brethren for beginning the controversy on 
baptism, reminding them of the caution he had given 
them at the commencement of the year. The meet- 
ing closed in great confusion. Some left the house 
weeping, others left laughing, and some very angry, 
declaring that they would never come back again. 

This day's work gave rise to a long and trouble- 



BAPTIST CONTROVERSY. 81 

some controversy. Men of the best talent in the 
Baptist Church were engaged in trying to prove that 
there was no Christian baptism but immersion, and 
that infant sprinkling, as they termed it, was sinful in 
the sight of God. Our elder and a Baptist preacher, 
by the name of Keller, had a public debate on the 
subject, before a very large assembly. Mr. Keller 
was an able man, a good debater, and well versed in 
the subject. He came into the congregation with 
nearly as many books as he could carry, but he ap- 
peared to feel the keen edge of the elder's logic, and 
to be embarrassed with his eloquence. There was 
no decided victory gained, for the congregation were 
divided in opinion. 

Shortly after this controversy, my colleague came 
on to the circuit. He found it in great confusion in 
relation to Christian baptism. The subject had en- 
grossed the public mind, and was the topic of con- 
versation in all public meetings. He took it up and 
handled it in a masterly manner in every neighbor- 
hood within the bounds of his work, so that he con- 
vinced thousands. The Baptist brethren, finding they 
were losing ground, were glad to be silent. My col- 
league moved on like a noble general, preaching, 
exhorting, watching, and praying, night and day. 
Sometimes I would travel across the circuit, and 
help him with his protracted meetings. We held a 
grove meeting, of great interest, on Floyd's Fork. 
Hundreds and thousands attended that meeting. 
There were many ministers, of different denomina- 



82 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

tions, present. Among the rest, a young Presbyte- 
rian, Rev. Joshua Logan Wilson. He was tall and 
elegant, and as fine a figure of a man as I have seen 
for many days. He had just been married. He led 
his young wife into the congregation, and was called 
to the stand. He stood and looked over the audience 
in profound silence for a long time, then covered his 
face with his handkerchief and wept freely. Many 
were shedding tears, throughout this vast assembly. 
Some were crying for mercy, others praising God. 
He gave a very appropriate exhortation. It ap- 
peared at that hour that the minister was clothed 
with salvation, and the saints shouted aloud for joy. 
This young minister rose to great eminence in the 
Presbyterian Church. He was settled in Cincinnati, 
as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, where he 
remained somewhere about forty years, and was both 
a burning and a shining light in that place. 

I closed my labors on this circuit with much com- 
fort, and, I humbly trust, some profit to my own soul. 
The elder and my colleague went to conference, and 
left me to take care of the circuit till the succeeding 
preachers should come on ; but I traveled with them 
a hundred miles of the way, and heard William 
M'Kendree preach several sermons before I left them. 



A NEW CIRCUIT. 83 



CHAPTER V. 

NEW GROUND—WAYNE CIRCUIT— 1802. 

The conference met, that year, at a place called 
Strathers's meeting-house. I felt a great desire to go 
with them, for I had never been to an annual con- 
ference, but M'Kendree would not hear to it at all; 
so I turned back and resumed my work. 

Before, however, I commenced preaching again, I 
retired, and spent several days alone, taking a retro- 
spective view of my labors, enjoyments, and suffer- 
ings, while traveling Salt River circuit. This has 
been my practice from that time to the present year, 
when leaving a circuit or district. Frequently, five 
or six times in the year, I have reviewed my work. 
This is the reason I can run over my history nearly 
as accurately as if I had kept a regular journal. 

Time passed away rapidly. My successors were 
soon at their posts. Benjamin Lakin and Ralph 
Lotspiech, were our successors — men of precious 
memory. I was appointed to help form a circuit on 
Green river. The Rev. James Gwyn was my col- 
league, then called Colonel Gwyn, afterward General 
Jackson's chaplain at. the famous battle of New 
Orleans. 

I went to see my new presiding elder, who was the 



84 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Bev. John Page, my father in the Gospel. He was a 
mill-wright, by trade, and was building mills and 
traveling, both at once. As my circuit lay very re- 
mote from his home, I expected but little help from 
him that year. I then went to see brother Gwyn who 
was to have charge of the new circuit. On examining 
the map he found the vacant territory too large to be 
embraced in one circuit. Big Barren, Little Barren, 
Green, and Cumberland rivers, all ran through this 
territory, beginning at the line that divided Kentucky 
from Tennessee, extending eastward to near the old 
Crab Orchard. My colleague proposed to divide the 
ground. He would take the western part, and send 
me to the eastern. He was a good man, and I cheer- 
fully submitted to his judgment. I went in the name 
of the Lord. 

In two days, I arrived at Manoah Lasley's, where I 
spent a few days, rested my horse, and recruited my 
wardrobe. I found myself at a very great loss to 
know how to form a circuit, in that vast wilderness, 
and had no one to instruct me. I preached, on Sab- 
bath day, in father Lasley's house, and set off, on 
Monday, on my great and important enterprise. I 
concluded to travel five miles, as nearly as I could 
guess, then stop, reconnoiter the neighborhood, and 
find some kind person who would let me preach in his 
log-cabin, and so on till I had performed the entire 
round. 

I set out early, but had to travel ten miles before 
I found a preaching-place. I was directed to call 



FIRST RECEPTION. 85 

on an old gentleman by the name of Step. I found 
him cribbing his corn ; two large negroes were doing 
the work, and he was keeping count. I spoke to 
him, but he gave me a very cold reception. I told 
him my business, but he was more intent on measur- 
ing his corn than talking about preaching. I felt 
determined not to be discouraged till I had pushed 
things to the bottom. I then said to him, "I am 
a Methodist preacher, sent into this country to try 
to form a new circuit." He rose up, looked me full 
in the face, exclaiming, " You are a Methodist 
preacher?" I responded, " Yes." "Come into the 
house," said he. I walked in, and found a very 
neat log-house, pretty well furnished. " Now," said 
the old gentleman, " this is your home." He then 
went on to say, "I thought, when you first spoke 
to me, you were a Baptist preacher." He then 
informed me that he had no fellowship with the 
Baptist Church, nor did he believe the doctrine they 
preached ; neither did he think they w T ere doing 
any good. I staid all night, and enjoyed the broth- 
er's society well. 

The next day, he sent out his servants and 
gathered in a good congregation. I preached, and 
had a delightful meeting. A Presbyterian elder 
attended the meeting ; his family were converted, and 
he caught the spirit of revival. I went home with 
him, and spent the evening at his fireside, much 
to my own satisfaction. This gentleman's name was 
Kelsey. He was an intelligent man, a devoted 



86 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Christian, and was a great advantage to me through 
the year. 

The next day I traveled five miles, and stopped 
at the house of Mr. Guthrie. Here I found a con- 
gregation waiting for me. The most prominent man 
in that neighborhood was George Taylor. With his 
assistance, I immediately formed a society there, 
which flourished all the time I remained on the 
circuit. 

Next day, I had a long ride through a dreary 
country. Late in the evening I came to a little log- 
cabin, standing in the woods, with no stable or out- 
buildings of any kind. Seeing a woman in the 
door, I rode up and asked if I could stay all night : 
she seemed to think not. I paused a few moments, 
thinking what to do. I was afraid to go any farther, 
lest I should have to lie out all night. That I was 
afraid to do, as the weather was very cold, and 
there were always a great many ravenous wolves 
in the barrens. My life would be in danger, and 
there was nothing to encourage me to stay at this 
place. I knew I would have to tie my hungry, tired 
horse to a tree, without any shelter or food. The 
cabin looked very dreary, and the woman was un- 
willing to let me stay. She was not entirely alone, 
but had several children, and one daughter partly 
grown, which inclined me to think I could stay with 
safety. I finally concluded to let her know who 
I was, and what business I was on. I said to her, 
"lama Methodist preacher, sent by Bishop Asbury 



A LODGE IN THE DESERT. 87 

to try to form a circuit." This information appeared 
to electrify her. Her countenance changed, and her 
eyes fairly sparkled. She stood some time without 
speaking, and then exclaimed, " La, me ! has a 
Methodist preacher come at last? Yes, brother, you 
shall stay all night. Mr. Carson is not at home, 
but we will do the best we can for you, with a glad 
heart." 

I alighted from my horse, and went into the house. 
The children clustered round me as if some near 
friend had come. After having gone through with 
the usual ceremonies, my next concern was to take 
care of my horse. Their oldest daughter — a pleasant 
girl — provided me with a halter, and directed me to 
a suitable tree where my horse could stand. I soon 
found I was to have a comfortable night's rest. 
They furnished me with plenty of good sound corn 
for my horse. The cabin, and what little furniture 
they had, was neat and clean. Supper was soon 
served up — just such as suited me — corn bread, fried 
venison, and crop- vine tea. 

Mrs. Carson then gave me her history. She and 
her husband were both raised in North Carolina. 
They both experienced a change of heart when 
young. Her husband had been class-leader, for 
some years, before he left his native state. They 
had emigrated to the state where they then lived, 
in order to buy land for their children. They had 
purchased a pretty large tract on one of the tribu- 
taries of Green river, lying about ten miles from 



88 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

where they then lived, and her husband was then 
at work on their own land. He had cleared out 
a small farm, and built a tolerable large house, 
which he was then finishing. By the time I came 
round again, they would have it ready for me to 
preach in. 

I spent the evening pleasantly, and by the time 
day dawned, was on my way in search of another 
appointment. My ride was along the dividing ridge 
between Green river and Salt river. In the evening 
I stopped at the house of a man by the name of 
Honnel; he was in pretty good circumstances, for 
that country, had a convenient house, and very 
willingly opened it for preaching. I staid all night, 
and, the next day, preached to a small congregation ; 
had some encouragement, and in the afternoon went 
on my way rejoicing. 

Late in the evening I came to a Mr. Cooper's. 
He was a local preacher, but from the manner in 
which he received me, I thought he took me for 
an impostor. In family prayer, he officiated himself. 
The family were reserved, and I had nothing to 
say. They fed my horse, gave me my supper, and 
a place to sleep. Next morning, they told me I 
might preach. The word was circulated, and at 
eleven o'clock, the congregation began to come to- 
gether. The first man that came was a Seceder; I 
having been reared among Seceders, he became much 
attached to me, and gave me all the encouragement 
he could. I tried to preach, and God gave me great 



TRAVELS AND PREACHING. 89 

freedom of speech ; and we had an excellent meet- 
ing ; and brother Cooper wept much. Here we 
organized a small class; and, having tarried one 
night longer, the next morning I started early. 
Brother Cooper and his wife went with me. About 
ten o'clock, we halted at Mr. M' Cowan's ; here I 
was astonished to find a large congregation assem- 
bled, waiting for the preacher. This being the 
Sabbath, they had come, hoping to meet the preacher, 
hearing there was one on his way to form a circuit. 

The house was a large, double cabin, with both 
rooms full, and a good many in the yard. I saw 
many Methodists among them, and they were sing- 
ing Methodist hymns in a revival spirit. I spent 
most of the afternoon in class meeting. This was 
truly a good day to my soul, and to the souls of 
many others. Here I found a class, of about fifty 
members, ready formed to my hand. 

I took some pains to learn the history of this so- 
ciety. It was formed by a local preacher who had 
resided several years in that vicinity. His name 
was M'Mellen, a very extraordinary man — I may say 
truly, a splendid man; but, like Ephraim of old, he 
was unstable as water, therefore he did not excel. I 
regulated the society, appointed a class-leader, etc., 
and went on, bearing toward the Crab Orchard. I 
preached at Mr. Samuel Stewart's, and found a small 
class. Here I regulated matters, and appointed a 
class-leader. In this neighborhood, I found a great 
many Baptists, who received me as the Lord's mes- 

8, 



90 FIFTY TEARS EB THE ITISERASCY. 

senger. I felt myself at home, and would gladly 
have spent days in the place, but my work was before 
me. Before night. I met with a man, who gave me a 
cordial invitation to preach in his house, where, find- 
ing a small society already organized, I made them a 
class-paper, appointed them a leader, etc. 

Here I became acquainted with a young man by 
the name of Joseph Williams, having a tall, slender 
form, a thin visage, and red hair. In a private inter- 
view, he told me he believed he was called to preach, 
and that he wanted to travel with me and assist me. 
He had his horse, saddle, and saddle-bags in readi- 
ness. I thought he looked rather unpromising, but, 
as I was a young man in a strange land, traveling 
through a thinly-settled country. I accepted his offer. 
I found him very companionable, and willing to do 
any thing that I told him. TVe traveled about twenty 
miles on a large creek, called Fishing creek, and put 
up with an old gentleman by the name of Chappel. 
This was a curious neighborhood. Several things, 
worthy of remark, came under my observation. 
There was a Methodist society in the neighborhood, 
the preacher of which was a colored man, by the 
name of u * Jacob. " I believe every member had been 
awakened under his preaching; and, by the assistance 
of Mr. Chappel's daughters, he had organized them 
into a class. One of the girls made out a class-pa- 
per, and they appointed Jacob leader. He was both 
preacher and leader; and, although he could not read 
a word, he could preach a pretty good sermon. He 



MR. AND MRS. WALKER. 91 

had a kind master, who would read for him Saturday 
evenings, and when a text was read that suited Jacob, 
he would ask his master to read it again, memorize 
the text, book, chapter, and verse ; then he was ready 
for his work. 

The next day was the Sabbath. The congregation 
was large, and I found his society in excellent order. 
I preached several times, and left this delightful place 
on Monday morning, crossed the Cumberland river, 
went out into a beautiful valley — Elf Spring valley — 
and stopped at Mr. Walker's. Mrs. Walker looked 
rather distant, and seemed to say she thought all was 
not right. She told me to sit down, and informed me 
that her husband was not at home. I determined to 
stay awhile, at all events, tied my horse to the fence, 
and commenced reading my Bible. After I had read 
a few chapters, the gentleman of the house came in. 
His wife rose and said, "Here is a stranger, who 
says he is a Methodist preacher." He smiled, and 
observed, "We are very suspicious of strangers in 
this country." I soon found he was a real quizzical 
character; and, to make my situation more critical, 
there was a gentleman boarding in the family, who 
professed to be a Presbyterian, who followed pettifog- 
ging for a living. I soon found they were determined 
to take me through a very severe course of exami- 
nation. My horse was put away, and I was invited 
to dine. The family were quite merry, and full of 
sport. 

Dinner being over, the examination began." I found 



92 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

but little trouble in putting them to silence on the 
subject of the Bible. I bad read the Scriptures, for 
many years, with marked attention, had memorized 
many texts, that I had at perfect command in all 
cases of emergency. They shifted their ground, and 
began to question me on English grammar. I an- 
swered them as well as I could, and presently turned 
the tables upon them. I then commenced on history. 
I had read Rollin's Ancient History as one of my 
school-books, and could quote so liberally, that they 
soon thought I knew a great deal more than I really 
did. We then took a jaunt among the poets, and 
the conference adjourned. Upon the whole, I had 
rather an unpleasant time, but they never undertook 
to examine me again. 

I took my departure, rode about eight or ten 
miles, and called at the house of Elliot Jones. In 
him I found a friend. He was eminently qualified 
to be a father to young preachers. He was a local 
minister — not what is generally called a great 
preacher, but his preaching talents were respectable, 
and he was well read in the holy Scriptures, and 
tolerably well acquainted with the rise and progress 
of Methodism. We had several meetiDgs together, 
and he gave me much wholesome advice. I became 
acquainted with a goodly number of excellent men — 
some were Methodists, others were not, but all were 
well-wishers. We formed a large society and kept 
up a fine state of religious feeling throughout the 
year. Many were added to the Church in this 



THE BACKWOODSMAN. 93 

place. The next day I rode eight or ten miles, and 
stopped with a person by the name of John Francis. 
He was sheriff of Wayne county, and a backslidden 
Methodist, but his wife was a very pious woman, 
and the children were well-disposed. He took me 
in and made his house my home. I had ten happy 
meetings in that house. Poor old John would weep 
when I preached, treat me kindly when I tarried 
with him, and always gave me a hearty shake of the 
hand when I left; but his worldly prospects were good, 
and he would not give up all for Christ, therefore I 
fear I left him in his sins. 

I left that vicinity and moved on toward the west. 
Some time after dark, and while stopping at a tav- 
ern, a man called at the door. Being asked what 
he wanted, he inquired if there was not a Meth- 
odist preacher there. I heard him and was soon 
on the porch. He said he understood I was form- 
ing a circuit through that country, and wanted me 
to take in his house for one of the appointments. 
I asked him how far off he lived. " Ten miles." 
I replied, "I will go with you to-night. He told 
me I had better stay where I was — warm and com- 
fortable, and he would go home and give out the 
appointment for the next day- I feared I might be 
puzzled to find the way alone, and insisted on going 
that night. At a very late hour we arrived at a 
small log-cabin. He kindled a fire on the hearth — 
the light shone brightly, and I took a close view of 
every thing within. I am sure it would have fright- 



94 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ened any body but a backwoodsman. There was 
no floor in the house. They had leveled off the 
ground, and made it somewhat smooth. There were 
hickory poles laid across in the place of joists. 
Some clapboards laid on these poles constituted the 
upper floor. There was neither bedstead, chair, nor 
table in the house. Some small stakes or forks had 
been driven down in the west corner, of the cabin, 
they laid two round poles in the forks, and placed 
clapboards on these poles. This was their bedstead. 
Some bedding, such as it was, formed all the 
sleeping-place I saw for the man and his wife. The 
little negro boy slept on the ground floor with a 
deer-skin under him. I saw no cupboard furniture, 
excepting some earthern bowls of inferior quality. 
The woman of the house was badly crippled. 

I felt rather melancholy, and my mind began to 
run back to days of other years, when I was dwell- 
ing among my own people in ease and plenty: here 
I was in a strange land, without friends or money. 
The squalid appearance of the inside of the house 
made an impression on my mind that never can be 
erased. 

Surrounded by these gloomy circumstances, I had 
no friend to fly to but the Redeemer. I kneeled down 
and prayed, and the Lord blessed me. I felt happy 
and resigned to my lot. The next thing was to make 
my bed, and lay me down to sleep. I spread down, 
for my bed, a blanket that I kept under my saddle, 
and took a stool for my pillow. I had another 



FOOD AND LODGING. 95 

blanket on which I rode ; this I used for a sheet. My 
saddle-bags on the stool made my pillow soft — my 
overcoat became my covering. I thanked God that 
I had a pretty comfortable bed. I thought within 
myself, I am better off than my Savior was, for he 
"had not where to lay his head;" and far happier 
than the rich who roll on beds of down, and enjoy 
all the elegances and luxuries of life. 

I had a comfortable night's rest and rose in the 
morning much refreshed, and prepared for my day's 
labor. Breakfast was soon served up, on a board 
bench. It consisted of corn-bread and milk — no 
spoons. I had to bite and sup. When I turned up 
the bowl to drink, a black ring would make its ap- 
pearance from the sediments in the bottom. Break- 
fast being over I retired to the woods and spent the 
forenoon in reading and praying, till preaching-time. 
Returning, I saw the cabin pretty well filled with 
men and women. Although it was late in November, 
many of them had neither hats nor bonnets on their 
heads, nor shoes on their feet. I took my stand 
opposite the door, read a hymn, began to sing — and 
while I was singing a remarkable man made his ap- 
pearance. He was so distinguished from other men, 
that I will give some account of him. 

First, he was a very large man, with strongly- 
marked features. Erom the muscles of his face I 
perceived that he was a man of strong, natural cour- 
age. He had a high forehead — very wide between 
the eyes, with a broad face ; his whole form was well 



96 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

proportioned, Lis eyeballs remarkably large, showing 
a great deal of white. He fixed his eyes upon me 
and looked as if he were scanning my whole person. 
Had I not been used to seeing rough men on the 
frontier of Kentucky, I should have been frightened. 
I looked him fully in the eyes and scanned him 
closely. His hair appeared as though it had never 
been combed, and made me think of old Nebuchad- 
nezzar, and his head "like eagles feathers." He 
wore no hat; his collar was open, and his breast 
bare ; there was neither shoe nor moccasin on his 
feet. 

I finished my hymn, kneeled down and prayed, 
and took my text to preach. The man looked for 
no seat, but stood erect, gazing on the speaker. Be- 
fore I was half through I saw the tears roll down 
his rough cheeks. I closed and told them that on 
that day four weeks I would be there again. I rode 
away, but could not forget the big man. I was sure 
he had distinguished himself some way, which made 
me anxious to find out his history. I soon found out 
he was brother-in-law to the infamous robber, Micajah 
Harp, a character so well known in the history of the 
west. No doubt they had been together in many a 
bloody affray. On my next round he joined the 
Church, and soon afterward became a Christian. He 
could neither read nor write. I procured him a 
spelling-book. His wife taught him to read, and 
he soon learned to write. On my third or fourth 
round I appointed him class-leader, He trimmed off 



BURKE— LYON — JAMES B. FINLEY. 97 

his hair, bought a new hat, clothed himself pretty 
well, and became a respectable man. I heard of 
him several years afterward, and he was still hold- 
ing on his heavenly way. 

I went from this place into Stogdon's valley, and 
called on a gentleman by the name of Talbot. He 
received me cordially, and gave up his house for 
a preaching-place. His wife was a Methodist. 
During this year I spent many a happy evening 
with this family. I left, and went to Sprowle sta- 
tion; left an appointment, rode that afternoon to 
Burkesville, and staid all night at Burke's tavern. 
He was the proprietor of the town ; he had been a 
Methodist, but was now in a backslidden state. I 
made some inquiry about preaching ; he replied very 
promptly, that if I would preach, he would fit up 
a large room to accommodate the congregation. 

Here I met with the old politician, Matthew Lyon, 
who had emigrated from New England to Kentucky. 
He treated me with a great deal of politeness. The 
next day was the Sabbath. I preached in the bar- 
room, and had a very solemn time. I came the next 
day to Mr. Wisdom's. He called in his neighbors, 
who filled the house. Some came into it shouting 
happy. Among them was an uncle of the Rev. James 
B. Finley. I think his name was Samuel Finley, and 
for the want of a seat he stood during the services, 
Before I was done he shouted at the top of his voice, 
shouted on, rode away shouting, saying, "Young 
Whitefield! young Whitefield !" 



98 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

The next day I rode six or seven miles to Dulin's 
meeting-house, where I found a large congregation 
waiting for the preacher. It was beautifully orna- 
mented with hoary heads. From the expression of 
their countenances I thought they were in the way of 
righteousness. They were very attentive, and there 
were much weeping and some shouting. After preach- 
ing they held a prayer meeting, which lasted nearly 
all the afternoon. They were principally Presbyte- 
rians, and an extensive revival was in progress among 
them. They had no settled minister, but had a good 
supply from a distance. Rev. David Rice, Rev. Mr. 
Howe, and Rev. J. Abel spent much of their time 
there. Rice was a profound theologian; Howe an elo- 
quent orator ; Abel was like the weeping prophet. Rice 
thought there was much Methodism and enthusiasm 
here. Sometimes, when they would get very high — 
which they often did after sermon — he would rise to 
his feet, look over the assembly with great solemnity, 
and exclaim, "High sail and little ballast!" then 
gather up his hat and cane, and take his departure. 

Next morning I prepared to leave the neighbor- 
hood. The people gathered round me; some talked, 
others shouted, I wept. I mounted my horse and 
rode away. While passing through a dense forest, I 
said to myself, " These are great and glorious days !" 
I was thankful that I had left father, mother, and all 
the world to preach the Gospel to perishing sinners. 
Coming to a little cabin standing in the barrens, I 
tarried all night there, preached next morning, and in 



REY. DAVID RICE. 99 

the afternoon rode to the Rev. Noah Lasley's, the 
place where I began to form a circuit. I had been 
gone three weeks, and had formed a full four weeks' 
circuit. Not having one resting day in the whole 
plan, I sat down, wrote out my plan, and, having 
reviewed and corrected it several times, felt well sat- 
isfied. I compared myself to a man settled in a wil- 
derness, who had built his cabin, surveyed his land, 
and was preparing to clear his farm. I laid aside my 
books and papers, and, like Isaac, walked into the 
woods to meditate. I thought I was one of the hap- 
piest mortals that breathed vital air. 

This was Saturday evening, and I had now to begin 
my second round. I preached twice on Sabbath, and 
the Lord blessed both preacher and people. At this 
time I made the acquaintance of Rev. David Rice, a 
Presbyterian, who was one of the most venerable-look- 
ing men I ever saw. He had then been a regular cler- 
gyman for upward of fifty years. He belonged to an 
obscure and poor family in the interior of Virginia, but 
was remarkable for good qualities from a very early pe- 
riod. He was very fond of divine services, and there 
being no preaching near his father's, he used to rise 
early on Sabbath morning, put a piece of corn-bread 
in the bosom of his hunting-shirt, and travel thirteen 
miles on foot to hear President Davison preach. Af- 
ter hearing two sermons he would return home, and be 
ready for hard labor on Monday morning. The min- 
ister, noticing a little ragged boy sitting near the 
door so regular in his attendance, detained him. On 



100 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

examination, finding him a pious boy with fine talents, 
he took him under his supervision, and gave him a 
first rate education for those days. He graduated at 
Princeton College, New Jersey. After finishing his 
theological course he emigrated to Kentucky, where 
he spent a long and useful life. He made one of the 
strongest and most manly efforts to abolish slavery in 
that state that I ever knew. Although he succeeded 
in almost every thing he undertook, in this, I am 
sorry to say, he failed. He shone like a star in the 
west ; and when he had attained to an exceeding old 
age, he died, lamented by all the pious. 

I left this place and pursued the same round de- 
scribed above, preaching almost every day, and often 
at night — reading Discipline, organizing societies, vis- 
iting, and trying, in my weak manner, to expound 
the holy Scriptures around the fireside. The good 
work increased at almost every appointment on the 
circuit. Many were converted and joined the Church, 
and then they wished to be baptized; parents wanted 
their children to be baptized, and as I was not or- 
dained I could not comply with their request. The 
Baptist brethren were very friendly, and sought to 
take advantage of this circumstance. I became very 
much perplexed, and did not know what to do. Some 
of the most distinguished Baptist preachers traversed 
my circuit in every direction, preaching baptism by 
immersion. While they talked about John, I talked 
about Christ; and when they talked about water, I 
talked about the Holy Ghost and fire. There were a 



THE FALLEN MINISTER. 101 

great many Baptist preachers living within the bounds 
of the circuit, but they were very feeble men. I 
found no trouble in managing them. But when the 
strong men came along, I thought it not prudent to 
meet them in public debate, lest the truth should 
suffer in my hands for the want of ability. 

I expected great relief, at the first quarterly meet- 
ing, from my presiding elder, the Rev. John Page. 
During this round I had several revivals, one in 
Step's settlement, at Guthrie's, Chappel's, Elf Spring 
valley, Burkesville, Dulin's meeting-house, Lasley's, 
Carson's, and Abel's. 

From Chappel's I pursued my regular round till I 
came to Wayne court-house. There we had a time of 
refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Our little 
flock, in that place, was greatly increased. At 
Burkesville, we found Mr. Burke dangerously ill. 
The thought of dying in his sins alarmed him very 
much. He remembered what God had done for him 
in days of other years, and he thought he had 
crucified the Savior afresh, and put him to an open 
shame. In his great extremity he cried unto God, 
but his prayers seemed to be neglected. He called 
in Mr. M'Mellen to pray for him. This man had once 
been a Methodist preacher of some note, but was now 
in a backslidden state. When he entered the sick 
room he was horrified, and could not pray one word. 
He sat down by the bedside, and, with weeping eyes, 
wrote the sorrows of his heart upon the floor. 

In this hour of distress, Rev. John Page and my- 



102 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

self called. This was truly a fearful sight. A back- 
slider dying in despair, and the fallen minister had 
not a word to offer him. The venerable Page, a man 
of great sympathy, entered keenly into the feelings 
of the two men. Being a man of God, and divinely 
qualified, always ready for any emergency, he knew 
exactly what to say, and what to do. He began with 
the sick man, and, having cleared away all difficulties, 
in a very forcible manner he pointed him to " the Lamb 
of God which taketh away the sins of the world." 
He prayed. The sick man appeared somewhat com- 
forted, but not yet satisfied; his heart was melted into 
tenderness, but his evidence of sins forgiven was not 
satisfactory. The elder retiring, I was left alone with 
the two men. The backslidden minister asked me to 
take a walk with him. We walked a long distance, 
and not one word passed between us. He stopped 
suddenly, turned, and, looking upon me with a dread- 
ful countenance, opened his mouth, and said, "I do 
not want religion. I don't wish you to pray for me. 
My day of grace is gone." Having a stick in his 
hand, he threw it toward heaven. " My condemna- 
tion," he added, "is sealed; but I advise you to be 
faithful; go on and preach, and preach Scriptural 
holiness.' ' 

I gave the poor man the best advice I could. 
When we parted he wept freely. In the morning the 
sick man was better. My elder left me, and I went 
on my way rejoicing. I preached several times be- 
fore I came to Dulin's. Here I met a large congrega- 



LEWIS GARRET — PROSPERITY. 103 

tion, and attempted to preach, but the people shouted 
so loud that I could not be heard. We spent the day 
and a great part of the night, in religious exercises. 
The next day I formed a large society, and came to 
this conclusion, that Presbyterians will remain Pres- 
byterians, and Methodists will remain Methodists. 
The young converts were advised to make their own 
choice. Nearly all chose to be Methodists. 

I left them and passed on to Rev. N. Lasley's. A 
revival had begun during my absence, and was going 
like fire in dry fuel. Young Thomas Lasley was con- 
verted, and afterward became an eminent minister. 
He was one of the first missionaries to explore Lou- 
isiana ; he lived long and did much good. 

I had now completed my second round. On my 
third I exchanged with Lewis Garret. He was then 
traveling Danville circuit, in the interior of Kentucky. 
He had heard of my situation — the revivals, and the 
annoyances to which the Baptists were subjecting me. 
Brother Garret came down — took my place — and sent 
me on to his circuit. He passing round mine, regu- 
lated all the classes I had formed — baptized all who 
wished to be baptized — adults and children — preached 
many sermons on baptism, and answered all the Bap- 
tist arguments to the general satisfaction. On my 
return, I found every thing in a prosperous condition. 
This was a very eventful year. Hundreds were con- 
verted, and, many, I trust, are now safely housed in 
heaven. 

Two facts I will here mention. First, I had no 



104 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY/ 

enemies on any part of the circuit — every body ap- 
peared to love me — old and young — rich and poor — 
religious and irreligious. Secondly, I do not remem- 
ber one temptation worthy of being named, during 
the entire year. Truly — 

" I rode on the sky, 
Freely justified I, 
Nor did envy Elijah his seat." 

I received but little money — not quite thirty dol- 
lars — for my whole year's labor. The women made 
me cotton clothes, and I wore them quite contented. 

This was the best year of all my life. I performed 
ten entire rounds on that circuit — closed my year 
with a protracted meeting, on a delightful eminence, 
near the Rev. Noah Lasley's, assisted by Rev. L. 
Garret and W. Thompson. The Presbyterians united 
with us — doctors, lawyers, etc. On Friday, brother 
Garret preached the opening sermon — the windows of 
heaven were opened, and God poured out such a bless- 
ing that there was not room to contain it. The meet- 
ing continued till dark. The congregation was so large 
that we held prayer meetings in many places under the 
shade-trees. The work went on, with increasing ra- 
pidity, till the middle of the next week, when I gave 
them my valedictory. I had never seen such a meet- 
ing before, and never expect to again. I mounted 
my horse and rode away — left them shouting and 
praising God, and have never seen them since. 

One thing I have forgotten — Rev. Thomas "Wilkin- 
son came on in the place of the presiding elder, and 



CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 105 

took the supervision of this meeting. He preached 
like an apostle, often falling on his knees. Wilkinson 
and Garret were two of the greatest and best men I 
ever knew. Had I the ability I would delineate their 
character, but must leave this for an abler hand. 
They were among the early pioneers of the west. 
What these men did and suffered for Methodism, in 
the west, will never be known till the books are 
opened at the last day. I met these men of God, 
at tne house of a friend — dined with them — received 
their blessing, and took my departure. 

I was now leaving my new circuit, while, as yet, I 
had given it no name ; and, as I would have to report 
it at conference, it must, of necessity, have a name. 
I called it Wayne circuit, after General Anthony 
Wayne. I had taken three hundred and one mem- 
bers into Church this year. 

I soon fell into the circuit I had traveled the year 
before. I met with many friends — preaching in the 
evenings as I went along, till I came to Talbot's 
meeting-house, the place where I received my license, 
and where I began my itinerant career. A quarterly 
meeting was in progress. The Rev. W. M'Kendree 
was present, with many of my best earthly friends. 
My beloved brother Joseph met me as soon as I 
alighted from my horse — hung on my neck, and shed 
many tears. He was truly a lovely man. Meeting 
over, I rode to my father's, where I spent a few 
days to comfort my father, mother, brothers and 
sisters, then left them for conference. 



106 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER VI. 

CLINCH CIRCUIT — 1803. 

I arrived at the conference Tuesday evening. 
This was my first attendance at an annual conference. 
I felt as if I had entered on new business. At my 
boarding-house, they directed me to a large room, up 
stairs. I spread out what few books I had, and 
engaged in my studies as usual. The conference 
was held in the house of Benjamin Coleman, near 
Cynthiana, Kentucky. Next morning I repaired to 
the conference-room, which was about eighteen feet 
square, and up stairs. I was met at the door by 
Mrs. Burke, wife of William Burke. She has long since 
gone to her reward, and he has since followed. She 
was an accomplished lady. I was dressed like a 
backwoodsman. My manners and costume were an- 
swerable to the description given of " Rhoderick 
Dhu," of Scotland, by Walter Scott. I was pretty 
much such another looking man. Mrs. Burke told 
me to walk up, but I hesitated — she insisted — at 
length I yielded — ascended the stairs, and entered 
the conference-room. There, for the first time, I saw 
the venerable Asbury, seated on a chair elevated by 
a small platform. He was writing — his head white 
as a sheet. Several of the preachers said, " Come in, 



THE WESTERN CONFERENCE. 107 

come in, brother Young." The Bishop raised his 
head, lifted his spectacles, and asked who I was. 
The Rev. W. M'Kendree told him my name. He fixed 
his eye upon me as if he would look me through. 
M'Kendree saw I was embarrassed, and told me kindly 
to take a seat. 

Business went on, and I sat as a silent spectator. 
I thought they were the most interesting group of 
men I had ever seen. M'Kendree appeared the mas- 
ter-spirit of the conference. Burke, very neatly 
dressed, was secretary. His auburn head, keen, black 
eye, showed clearly he was no ordinary man. 

I still remember most of the members' names — 
Revs. Thomas Wilkinson, John Watson, Benjamin 
Lakin, Samuel Doughty, John Adam Granadd, Lewis 
Garret, William Crutchfield, Benjamin Young, Ralph 
Lotspiech, Anthony Houstin, and some few more not 
now recollected. 

These were members of the great Western confer- 
ence, comprehending Kentucky, Ohio, south-western 
Virginia, old Tennessee, and the Mississippi territory. 
This year they sent missionaries to Illinois and Indi- 
ana. In a beautiful grove, a mile from Mr. Coleman's, 
they erected a stand and seats to accommodate a con- 
gregation. The conference adjourned every day, that 
the preachers might attend public services. As I was 
not in full connection I had no seat in conference; 
but I was free to go and come as I pleased. We 
kept up prayer meetings nearly all the time. There 
was a great deal of good preaching during the session, 



108 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

and I have no doubt but much good was done at that 
time. There was an extensive revival all through 
Kentucky. 

On Sabbath, Bishop Asbury preached one of his 
masterly sermons to about ten thousand listeners. 
This was a very solemn and profitable day. 

On Tuesday I was appointed to preach. The con- 
gregation was still very large and the cross was heavy. 
I mounted the stand in my rough costume; every eye 
was fixed upon me. A lady in the congregation, with 
whom I afterward became acquainted, said that when 
she saw me rise in the pulpit she felt indignant, and 
said to herself, " Why do they put up that fellow to 
preach? he looks more suitable for mauling rails than 
preaching." She thought she would stay and hear 
me out. I sung, and prayed, and tried to preach. 
My voice was both strong and clear. I preached 
upward of two hours, and wound up with a very 
pleasant gale. Many of the preachers hung round 
me and wept, and bade me God-speed. It seemed as 
if the whole assembly wanted to shake hands with 
me. I sat long in the pulpit weeping and praising 
God, feeling that I should learn war no more. These 
were days of the Son of God with me. 

Conference over, and my appointment given, I bade 
my loving friends a long farewell, and started in com- 
pany with Samuel Dowthet. I tarried all night in 
Lexington ; tried to preach, but was bound in spirit. 
This was the first real dark time I had for two years. 
My success at the conference had doubtless lifted me 



ASBURY AND THE ENGLISHMAN. 109 

up a little, and the Lord had measurably withdrawn 
to let me know my own weakness. 

Next day found me at Richmond, Madison county, 
Kentucky. I lodged in the same house with Bishop 
Asbury. Early we started for the Crab Orchard wil- 
derness, lying between Kentucky river and Powell's 
valley. The Bishop was in feeble health. Biding 
on horseback, in this hilly country, fatigued him very 
much. He often wished to change awhile and walk, 
but could not walk up hill. When he came to the 
top of a high hill, he would dismount, give me his 
horse to lead, and walk down, till we came to our 
stopping-place in the evening. Here we fell in with 
very rough company. There were plenty of whisky, 
and persons drinking it freely, taking the name of 
God in vain, and playing cards. The landlord, a low- 
bred man, had goodness enough to give us a room to 
ourselves, where we felt rather more comfortable. 
An old Englishman came into our room to talk with 
the Bishop on religion. He had a great deal to say 
which did not interest the Bishop much. He had 
long been seeking religion but never found it; but he 
said he had succeeded in one thing — a certain Baptist 
preacher had broken him off from swearing profanely. 
He finally left us and went into the gambling-room, 
where he soon began to talk very loud and swear one 
oath after another. The Bishop recognized his voice, 
arose, opened the door, and looked in. "You told 
me a certain Baptist preacher had broken you off 
from profane swearing, but I find you can lie and 



110 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

swear both." They all quailed under his reproof. 
The Englishman came to him, crying, "Ah, Bishop 
Asbury, pardon me if you please, sir!" The Bishop 
told him he had better ask pardon of his God — gave 
him suitable instruction, and left him. The house be- 
came very quiet; we had an early supper, which, being 
ended, the Bishop called them all into our room, read 
a chapter, gave them a short lecture, sung a hymn, 
and prayed. "We then went to bed, rested well 
through the night, rose early, and began to prepare 
for our journey. The Bishop continued long on his 
knees, and just as he rose from his devotions the 
landlord came in with a bottle and glass. "Mr. As- 
bury, will you take a little whisky this morning?" 
The Bishop replied in the negative, adding, "I make 
no use of the devil's tea." We mounted our horses, 
rode hard all day, and in the evening we stopped with 
a gentleman by the name of Ballinger. He was re- 
ally a gentleman, and his wife was a lady. 

The landlord expressed considerable anxiety to 
have a circuit formed. The Bishop asked me if I 
would be willing to undertake the task. I told him I 
was at his service. He then replied to Ballinger, 
"We will try to accommodate you." Each one was 
to do his part. The Bishop was to supply my place 
with a preacher, in the spring, on Clynch circuit. I 
was to come on and form the circuit as best I could 
by the providence of God, and Ballinger's house was 
to be the nucleus around which I was to arrange my 
plan of operation. 



POWELL'S YALLEY. HI 

We staid all night with the kind family, and 
breakfasted with them, next morning. The Bishop 
read the word of God to us, lectured on the same, 
prayed for them, and we departed in fine spirits. A 
few hours' ride brought us to Cumberland Gap. Here 
we parted — the Bishop and brother Dowthet took the 
North Carolina road, I turned up Powell's valley. 
The Bishop got off his horse while he gave me the 
parting blessing. His last words were, "Pray as 
often as you eat and sleep, and you will do well." 

I now traveled on alone, and in the evening put up 
at a public house. The landlord appeared like a 
decent man; but I soon found his house was a place 
of dancing, gambling, and drinking. I concluded to 
make the best I could of my circumstances — became 
quite cheerful, talked fluently, told him my business, 
and asked him what he thought of my prospects 
through the country where I was going. He gave 
me all the encouragement he could and some good 
advice. Although he was not religious, he was a man 
of good sense. He brought his large Bible and pro- 
posed worship before I retired to rest. I slept but 
little that night. 

The inhabitants of this valley were, for the most 
part, desperate characters. They dressed alike and 
looked alike, so that if a person of observation had 
met one of them in New York he would have known 
they belonged to Powell's valley. They wore short 
hunting-shirts, leather belt round the waist, shot- 
pouch, powder-horn, rifle gun, and had a big dog fol- 



112 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

lowing closely behind. It is said they watched the 
road leading from old Virginia to Kentucky, and 
when they saw emigrants going on to the above- 
named place they changed their costume, dressed like 
Indians, by a near route through the mountains passed 
ahead of the travelers, watched them till they pitched 
their tents and were all asleep, then fell upon them, 
murdered them, and took their money. 

I will here give one case which will illustrate all 
the rest. There was a spot in that wilderness known 
by the name of Hazel Patch, where travelers stopped 
at night. At a certain time — date I do not recollect — 
a large company of wealthy Virginians started for 
Kentucky to buy and take up lands. They were well 
armed and equipped to defend themselves, put up at 
the place, pitched their tents, placed their sentinels, 
and went to sleep. Some time in the night they 
were attacked by a party of — as they thought — Indi- 
ans; it was generally believed they were Powell's 
valley men. The Virginians defended themselves in 
a masterly manner. It was said the conflict was long 
and severe; but the Virginians were all killed with 
the exception of one, and many thought he turned 
traitor. Two facts led the public mind to this con- 
clusion: First — he was very poor when he joined the 
company; after that he became immensely wealthy, 
buying farm after farm. Secondly — he could give 
no rational account of his escape. He said, when the 
Indians had killed all the rest he walked off quietly, 
and they let him alone. 



CLYNCH MOUNTAIN. 113 

I felt as a stranger in a strange land. I had to 
travel one hundred miles among these people, and 
I looked back with mournful joy, and pleasant grief, 
on the good circuit I had left behind. 

I had some imperfect knowledge of what I had 
passed through, but what lay before me I knew 
not. I arose very early, and before daylight, I was 
on my way, ate but little, slept but little, till I 
arrived at my circuit, on Saturday, about noon. 

I came into a settlement called Rye Cove, which 
took its name from the abundance of wild rye grow- 
ing there. I put up with Esquire Gibson, a man 
of intelligence, piety, and sociability. Looking over 
my plan, I found my circuit to be an odd-shaped 
concern, lying between two mountains — Clynch and 
Cumberland — upward of a hundred and fifty miles 
in length, and not more than twenty-five in breadth. 

This Clynch mountain was a curiosity; first, it 
was very long, taking its rise near the ridge that 
divides Holston and New rivers, and running all 
the way till it came near to a junction of Holston 
and Tennessee ; in the second place, it is an exceed- 
ingly high mountain, distinguished from all others 
by a great number of sharp peaks. Although it 
lies in a southern climate, it is a very cold mountain. 
I have often seen its summit covered with snow, 
while vegetation was flourishing at its base. On 
my plan of this circuit, I had about thirty appoint- 
ments. From Rye Cove, I went to Stallard's, on 

the ford of Clynch river. Here I found trouble 
' 10 



114 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

on hand. Two local preachers had been expelled, 
and were making fearful inroads in the society. I 
preached, and regulated the concerns of the Church 
in the best manner I could, and left them in the 
hands of their Maker, and, turning my course to 
the south, came to Mocasson Gap. This was a 
natural curiosity — a large creek, running directly 
through the high mountain I have just described. 
The source of the creek was on the north side of 
the mountain, which run parallel to the Clynch river 
for some miles, then turned short to the south and 
emptied into Holston river. 

Here I found a large society of Methodists. The 
most of them of the name of Lynn. They lived in 
very small houses, cultivated poor land, burned pine 
knots, and lived poor. They were very pleasant, 
and I enjoyed myself among them. 

I shall satisfy myself with giving a mere outline 
of this circuit. I made my way, as best I could, to 
Russell court-house, preaching in several neighbor- 
hoods as I passed along ; found many pleasant peo- 
ple, and had delightful meetings. Within about 
five miles of the court-house, I found a large society 
of intelligent and pious people. I could have taken 
up my abode here with great pleasure, but duty 
called me, and I must go. I found no society at 
the court-house, and very few people lived there. 

From this place I went to Henry Dickenson's, 
who was a distinguished man in that country. I 
became acquainted with the Ellingtons, one of 



THE WITTY LAWYER. 115 

whom afterward became a traveling preacher ; trav- 
eled a few years, married in Fairfield county, Ohio, 
near Rushville ; then emigrated to Georgia, where 
he ended his days. 

From Dickenson's, I rode to a place called Elk 
Garden, where I found a very large society of Meth- 
odists, of the very best sort. Mr. Price, the principal 
man, was dead before I went there, but his widow 
and a large family of sons and daughters remained, 
and I could form some idea what kind of a man he 
was — a self-taught, practical man ; and, after all that 
is said about refinement and education, these are the 
most efficient men in the world. 

Another distinguished man was Mr. Browning, 
he had a large family, and trained them well. He 
was a man of considerable wealth, and his influence 
was great both in state and Church affairs. He was 
a strong, practical, matter-of-fact man. I will give 
one illustration of his character: A lawyer Smith 
was in the habit of putting up with him in going 
to and from Russel court-house. This Smith was 
a man of great wit, and very fond of displaying it 
by criticising religious people, especially by making 
sarcastic remarks on the sermons of the ministers 
and prayers of the faithful. On one occasion he 
was teasing Browning about his unskillful ministers 
and ignorant members. Browning having borne his 
sallies of mirth and humor, as he thought, at least, 
long enough, determined to test Smith's skill in 
preaching and praying. One day, in friendly con- 



116 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

versation, he said, "Mr. Smith, you appear to be 
well skilled in theology ; I suppose if you were to 
attempt to preach or pray, we should have something 
like perfection." Smith replied, " He would be very 
sorry if he could not perform a great deal better 
than some he had heard." Browning said no more. 
Smith was full of hilarity, not knowing the trial 
awaiting him. Supper over, the family was pleas- 
antly situated in the parlor. The old gentleman 
laid his Bible on the stand, and with a great deal 
of solemnity, said, " Squire Smith, will you attend 
to prayers?" Smith looked as if he was "sent 
for and could not go." It was as much as the 
young people could do to command their risibles. 
There sat the dignified lawyer with his head in his 
hands. The family waited a long time. The Squire 
made no move toward the stand, and, I suppose, 
Browning was too full of mischief to pray himself. 
A poor man, very shabby in his appearance, was 
working for Browning, and Mr. Browning said, 
" Brother Beeve, will you go to prayer ?" Beeve 
dropped on his knees. He was a man of deep piety, 
and gifted. The force of his prayer was felt by all, 
but by Smith more than any other. He retired to 
rest, but rose early, and before prayer-time made 
his escape. He told some of his friends at the 
court-house that he never had heard such a prayer. 

I spent several days here, and moved toward 
Tazwell court-house. I preached several times on 
my way, among the Garrisons, Hickumbottoms, and 



MR. WHITTEN — SOLICITATION. 117 

Youngs. They received me as the Lord's messenger. 
Mr, Whitten lived here, who afterward became the 
father-in-law of Rev. James Quinn. He was quite a 
gentlemanly man in his appearance and manners. 
He invited me to go home with him, and, when I 
reached the house, I was surprised to find he had a 
large family, for I thought him but a youth. His 
family was one of the most pleasant I ever met with. 
He was reared near the city of Baltimore, and emi- 
grated to this country at an early day. He became a 
very extensive landholder, and, entering largely into 
the stock business, accumulated much wealth. This 
settlement was near Clynch river. The neighborhood 
was made principally of the two families, Whitten 
and Ligsel. They were pleasant people, and nearly 
all became Methodists. Here Heaven smiled upon 
me. I was strongly solicited to give up traveling, 
and settle down. My natural inclination led me to 
comply. I suppose I would have secured a great 
amount of earthly happiness, but the providence of 
God and the dictates of the Holy Ghost suffered me 
to assume no such responsibility. 

I passed over the dividing ridge between the waters 
of the Tennessee and Ohio. I went down a stream 
called Blue Stone, formed several societies, and saw 
some happy days. I recrossed the dividing ridge, 
went down the valley of Clynch about a hundred 
miles, preaching in a great many places as I went 
along, night and day, till I came to my starting- 
place, Rye Cove. I went up this valley in the 



118 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITIXERAXCY. 

same manner as described before. "When I came to 
Mr. Whitten's, my quarterly meeting came on. I 
met with my presiding elder, Rev. John Watson, 
Rev. Thomas Milligan, and Dr. Jeptha Moore. 

These were all distinguished men. Watson was 
not a great preacher, but was an excellent Church 
officer, possessing a great amount of sanctified wit, 
and he knew how to use it to advantage. Milligan 
was a man of strong mind, but lacked cultivation — 
notwithstanding, he was an able minister of the Xew 
Testament. Moore was truly a great man, and an 
eloquent pulpit orator. He entered the ministry in 
early life, and was one of the first colleagues of 
Thomas Scott, of Chillicothe. He traveled a few 
years with great success, then located, and went into 
the practice of physic. He lived long, and, notwith- 
standing all that the Lord had done for him, his sun 
went down partially under a cloud. "When a man is 
divinely called and put into the ministry, it is a dan- 
gerous thing for him to leave the Lord's work to 
accumulate riches or worldly honor. 

Brother Watson preached on Saturday morning; 
brother Milligan on Saturday night: Dr. Moore on 
Sabbath morning, at 11 o'clock. They all had great 
freedom of speech in preaching the word of the Lord. 
Our quarterly conference was pleasant; a delightful 
love-feast after the 11 o'clock services. They left 
me alone to manage the meeting as well as I could. 
The Lord was with us in the outpouring of his Spirit, 
and I expect to see the fruits of that quarterly meet- 



LORENZO DOW. 119 

ing in the day of eternity. I performed four rounds 
on this lovely circuit, and these were among the hap- 
piest months of my long life. I loved the people, 
and they loved me. God gave me souls for my hire, 
and added seals to my ministry. 

I took a kind of missionary tour out on New river, 
more properly called great Kanawha. I was out 
several days, tried to preach several sermons, deliv- 
ered many exhortations, had good success, and re- 
turned to my circuit under a shouting latitude. I 
felt like proclaiming salvation to the ends of the earth, 
and then flying away to heaven. 

On this circuit, I first met the curious, eccentric, 
and talented Lorenzo Dow. I heard him preach a 
number of sermons, and spent several days in his 
company. His preaching and his private conversa- 
tions were rendered a lasting blessing to my soul. 
Whatever Dow may have been in the latter part of 
his life, at that time he was truly a man of God. 
He appeared to read, to think, and pray under the 
influence of the Holy Ghost. At that time, I believe 
he thought he was under the immediate influence of 
the Holy Spirit in every thing he did. I met him 
several years after, on the banks of the Mississippi; 
but, 0, how changed ! 

On my fifth round, Rev. Joab Watson was sent 
from North Carolina to take my place on Clynch 
circuit. I was to go into the wilderness, between 
Powell's valley and Crab Orchard, Ky. This ar- 
rangement was made on my way from conference to 



120 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Clynch circuit, by Bishop Asbury. The elder entered 
his protest against my leaving the district, alleging 
that the Bishop had no right to remove me -without 
his consent. I submitted to his decision, and have 
never been sorry but once, and that was from that 
day to this. According to our economy, the Bishop 
had the right, and, I believe, I sustained a heavy loss 
by not going. Watson took the charge, and the pre- 
siding elder did not tell me where to go. I kept 
on with "VYatson, preaching by turns, and the Lord 
worked with us, confirming the word with signs fol- 
lowing. We became so united that we were loth to 
part. 

Though I had great peace and general prosperity 
on this circuit, yet I met with some great and severe 
trials. One I will mention, as a specimen. At a 
certain time, the elder passed through my circuit, 
and preached for me. We went home with a brother 
to pass the night. Supper being ended, we sat down 
to converse around a comfortable fire. The man of 
the house soon began to inquire after my predecessor. 
I believe the elder told him he was well and doing 
well. He then said, with great emphasis, " I wish we 
had him here again, for brother Young is doing no 
good, and I don't believe he will do any." He went 
on to say a great many hard things. I made no 
reply or defense. He and the elder talked over the 
matter till, I suppose, they became tired. At the 
usual time, we went to bed, but I had a sleepless 
night. The morning came, and I thought the elder 



DIFFICULTIES. 1*21 

treated me very coolly, We left, after breakfast, and 
went on to another appointment. I discovered that 
the conversation of the brother had made a deep im- 
pression on his mind. As the elder knew but little 
of me, I began to look out for breakers, but I re- 
solved still to keep my cause in the hands of God, to 
pray, read, study, and preach in the best manner I 
could. I suppose Esq. Gibson, the principal man in 
that neighborhood, and other good men, heard what 
this man had said to the presiding elder; for they 
showed me greater friendship than heretofore. My 
ministry was more blessed in the vicinity. 

But I had another hard trial to encounter. Two 
men had been expelled from the Church a year 
or two before — one a local preacher, the other an 
exhorter. They were at this time bitter toward the 
Methodist Church, trying to make fearful inroads in 
the society. Their theme was baptism by immersion, 
and they were drawing off a goodly number of the 
Church members. I thought it my duty to encounter 
them. Though I was very deficient in point of infor- 
mation on that subject, I thought it would not do 
to let the good cause suffer in my hands. My mind 
ran back to young David and his sling and pebbles, 
with which he encountered the giant of Gath, and 
obtained the victory. I took courage and resolved 
to meet my antagonists. I studied the subject 
well for four weeks, and when I came again to that 
preaching-place, I found a large congregation assem- 
bled ; for I had given notice before, that, on this day, 

11 



122 FIFTY TEARS IE THE ITINERANCY. 

I would preach on baptism. My opponents were 
both present, prepared, as I suppose, to encounter 
me. I arose and preached three hours without any 
intermission — talked very fast and very loud. Then 
my antagonist replied at full length. I gave an 
exhortation after he had sat down, and prayed, and 
closed the meeting. The people went silently away. 
"Which gained his point, I can not tell; but we had 
no more trouble on the subject of water baptism from 
that quarter. 

I will mention one more. Near Tazwell court- 
house there lived a very respectable man, a member 
and an elder in the Presbyterian Church — a man 
extensively read in theology and many other sub- 
jects His wife was very pious and intelligent. 
They invited me to preach in their house, as they 
had no minister. As I passed by their habitation 
several times in my rounds, I frequently called and 
preached evenings. They received me cordially, and 
we had good meetings. It came into my mind that 
I ought to preach a sermon against Calvinism, when 
I had a very large congregation a little north of the 
court-house. My Presbyterian friends and many 
others were present. 

My Presbyterian friends, with others, became 
offended, among whom was Mr. George and his wife. 
He was a respectable merchant in Tazwell. Their 
influence was great, and they became my bitter 
enemies. Many of the Methodists were grieved — 
they thought I had done wrong in stirring up a spirit 



BORDER RUFFIANS. 123 

of controversy when they were all living in peace 
and harmony. This gave encouragement to the 
ungodly ; they threatened to lay hands upon me and 
beat me severely. 

Next week I was preaching in a private house not 
far from the same place, and the house was very 
much crowded. Two of these ruffians entered just 
after I had read my text, and as they could not 
reach my stand without interruption, one of them 
pressed through, pushing men and women aside till 
he came near enough to lay his hand upon me. The 
congregation expected to see a fight, or to see him 
beat me. The best way to keep a lion from pouncing 
on you is to keep your eye fixed right on his eye. I 
saw his courage failed him, and he took his seat. I 
did not intend or wish to disgrace my ministry, but 
I knew if it came to the worst, I had nothing to fear 
for personal safety. A man that will lay violent 
hands on a minister of the Gospel is always cow- 
ardly. When they see a preacher possessed of phys- 
ical power to defend himself, they rarely proceed 
farther than threats and vapor. 

Another of the same kind became offended at one 
of our revivals. He was behaving rudely while the 
work was going on, and I reproved him. He declared 
he would beat me the next day. He, with his brother 
came to Mr. James Whitten's early in the morning, 
with an intent, doubtless, to carry his threats into 
effect. Mrs. Whitten being a woman of great influ- 
ence and authority, took the matter in her own hands 



124 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

before I came in. I suppose she whipped him with 
more severity with her tongue than he could me with 
his fists. 

Although there were some very respectable fami- 
lies, at an early day settled in this valley, the great 
majority of the first settlers were of the lowest class. 
They were rough in their manners and rough in their 
appearance. They had but few schools and brought 
up their children in gross ignorance ; and as they had 
neither law nor Gospel in many neighborhoods, they 
became desperately wicked, and addicted to mean, 
low, vulgar vices. Horse-stealing was the prevailing 
vice in that country. It was found impossible to 
bring the offenders to justice, as they were harbored 
by families living along under the peaks of the 
mountains. 

I will give one example to illustrate the rest. A 
man came into the valley, stole two very valuable 
horses, and went over into North Carolina. He was 
followed by one of the citizens, who recovered the 
horses and brought them home. The thief followed, 
and the next week hired himself to work for a farmer 
near Russel court-house. A few nights after he came 
there, he took a large and valuable stallion out of the 
stable and went off. The owner of the horse took a 
couple of his trusty neighbors, armed themselves with 
rifles, and pursued him. The second day, they 
found him in a deep, dark ravine. He had tied his 
horse to a sapling, and was shelling corn with all 
his might — his gun loaded and standing by a tree, 



HORSE-STEALING-LYNCH-LAW. 125 

and he almost ready to take his departure. So soon 
as the men showed themselves, he sprang behind a 
tree, or, in their language, "he treed himself." His 
pursuers all stepped behind trees, having their fingers 
on the triggers of their rifles, waiting till they might 
see some part of his body. After some time he made 
an attempt to look, and in so doing he leaned his 
body a little. One of the men fired and shot him 
through the hips. He fell to the ground. The 
other two men walked up to him, put the muzzles of 
their guns to his head and blew out his brains, leav- 
ing him to rot on the ground, and then took their 
horse and returned home. 

This practice of horse-stealing became intolerable ; 
and as they could not bring the law of the land to 
bear upon them, they resolved to take the matter 
into their own hands, and to drive horse-thieves and 
those that harbored them out of the country entirely. 
A Captain Bolin, a man of respectability, united 
with thirty more, pretty much like himself, to enforce 
" Lynch-law " throughout the country, and mutually 
bound themselves, if suit was brought, to meet the 
costs. They passed through the land, and took hold 
of every man that was strongly suspected of harbor- 
ing horse-thieves, and gave him thirty lashes, pretty 
well laid on. They then gave him eight or ten days 
to leave the country. 

One very cold night, I lodged in a very small 
cabin on the waters of Blue Stone. Long before 
day I heard some one rap at the door; I opened, 



126 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

and a man entered, with a woman and three children. 
I was surprised to find a man traveling with a woman 
and children. I stirred up the fire, and told them 
to come near and warm themselves. I asked the 
man why he was out such a desperate night; he 
told me that Bolin had been at his house, and whip- 
ped him almost to death, and he expected the next- 
time they would kill him, although he was as clear 
of harboring horse-thieves as Bolin was. I thought 
that might be true, but did not believe it. Bolin 
and his company had done their work effectually; 
for I never heard of any horse-stealing in that 
country from that day to this. 

Two or three years before I went on that cir- 
cuit, they had a great revival under the pious labors 
of the Rev. Ezekiel Burdyne, and many of those 
ignorant and wicked men and women professed to 
become converted. As might be expected, they 
became great enthusiasts, and very superstitious in 
their notions — looking for miracles and things out 
of the common order. They expected God to tell 
them every thing that they ought to do. 

I will give one specimen, and let that suffice 
for all : A class-leader became dissatisfied with the 
baptism he received when he was an infant, and 
began to think he ought to be baptized by immersion ; 
he talked to the preachers and to the brethren, but 
concluded he would lay it before the Lord. One 
morning he arose early and went upon the mountain, 
and continued in prayer till late in the afternoon. 



ENTHUSIASM. 127 

But before sundown, the family heard him crying 
at the top of his voice, and he came down from the 
mountain, in full speed, crying, " Baptism, baptism, 
baptism by immersion." He thought he had re- 
ceived the revelation right from heaven; others 
thought so too, and away they went and were im- 
mersed—then they felt that all was well. 

But notwithstanding their enthusiasm and igno- 
rance, many of them were pious people. I was often 
informed by the preachers that they were doing well. 
I suppose that at this time they are nearly all dead, 
and I have a pleasing hope that I shall meet many 
of them in heaven. 

Here I take my leave of Clynch circuit. The 
authoritative letter came; and being a law-abiding 
man, I gathered up my little affairs, and bade them 
a long and final farewell. 



128 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER VII. 

HOLSTON CIRCUIT — 1804. 

I went on to Holston circuit — found it in a poor 
condition. I was again in the midst of strangers, 
and, after leaving so many -warm-hearted friends, I 
felt cast down, but not in despair. I had made two 
visits within the bounds of that circuit, and, as a 
matter of course, I went to those places where I had 
formed short acquaintances. I spent several days in 
the family of Widow Russel. She was a distinguished 
lady in that country. She had been married twice : 
first, to General Campbell, then to General Russel , 
but what distinguished her most was that she was 
sister to Patrick Henry. She was eloquent, like 
her brother ; a woman of exemplary piety and great 
zeal. She had three daughters — one, Miss Campbell, 
two Miss Russels. The family were converted to 
God under the influence of the venerable Asbury. 
In the General's day, they were burning and shining 
lights in the Church, both in life and in death. 

Miss Campbell was married to Colonel Preston, a 
man of great wealth and splendid talents, but a 
skeptic. One circumstance which took place after 
their marriage is worth relating. After he had 
married the pious Sally Campbell, and taken her to 



MRS. RUSSEL AND FAMILY. 129 

his magnificent mansion, they must give a large party, 
and Madam Russel — as she was called — must needs 
be there. The aristocracy were collected and every 
thing was in the first style, and, to use their own 
expression, there was "a great flow of soul." The 
evening spent, the guests began to retire. Madam 
Russel thought it would not do to part without 
prayer. She ordered the Bible to be laid on the 
stand, and then, with great solemnity, rose to her 
feet. " Colonel Preston, go to prayer !" Poor 
Preston! He thought it would never do to disobey 
his mother-in-law. Being a fine scholar, he took a 
new Bible, read a chapter eloquently, and, to the 
surprise of all, kneeled down and made, they said, an 
excellent prayer — after which the company dispersed. 

Mrs. Russel and her daughters saw that I was 
young and bashful, and they gave me great attention. 
One of the Miss Russels married lawyer Smith, of 
whom I have spoken previously. He was as polite 
as a Frenchman, and treated the young preacher 
with his usual etiquette. Mrs. Russel had some 
writing to do, and she insisted on my doing it for 
her. This was to me a great cross; I was a poor 
scholar, and but a poor scribe. I knew it would have 
to meet the scrutiny of Esquire Smith and the ladies. 
But they examined it, and pronounced it very good. 

I was now in the neighborhood of King's salt 
works, Washington county, Virginia. Salt-making 
was a lucrative business in that country at that day — 
salt selling for two dollars per bushel. Mr. King 



130 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

had accumulated a vast fortune. Colonel Preston 
had as good a well as King, but the latter gave Pres- 
ton twelve hundred dollars a year to remain idle, so 
that he might have the whole trade. I was informed 
by the old settlers that King was a very poor man 
when he came to this country. He was from Ireland, 
and followed peddling for a living. 

One circumstance, related to me by an old gentle- 
man, I shall never forget. The first time Mr. King 
passed along, he was driving before him a little sorrel 
mare with a pretty heavy load of goods on her back. 
She sunk down into the mire. He ran up to a farm- 
house to get help. Seeing a gentleman in the yard, 
he addressed him in true Irish style, "Hev ye a mat- 
tock by which ye can dig out my mare out of the 
mire?" The man lent him a mattock, and he, having 
extricated his mare, went on his journey. Let this 
pass. Mr. King became rich, and did it by minding 
his own business. As far as I know he was, through- 
out the great western country, regarded as an honora- 
ble and useful man. 

As I had no plan I remained in and about this place 
several days, preached in Union meeting-house, and 
with private families in the evenings. I became ac- 
quainted with General Tate and his lovely family. 
He was uncle to David Young. The neighborhood 
was then under a revival influence, and all went on 
pleasantly. I obtained my plan and left reluctantly ; 
but I thought that, in the course of four weeks, I 
should return again. In this I was disappointed. I 



KNOWLECHUCKE CIRCUIT. 131 

received a letter from the presiding elder to go on to 
Knowlechucke circuit and supply the place of brother 
Johnson, who had been taken sick. As there were 
two preachers on Holston and only one on Knowle- 
chucke, it was thought best not to leave it destitute, 
and I was sent to fill the vacancy. I came to Jones- 
boro, within the bounds of my new circuit, Saturday 
evening, May, 1804. 

General conference was sitting in Baltimore, and 
my presiding elder had gone to attend it. About the 
first Sabbath in May I preached in Ragon's meeting- 
house, not far from Jonesboro. This chapel was built 
on the land of Mr. Ragon, one of the first converts 
to Methodism in old Virginia, who had moved, with a 
numerous family, within the bounds of east Tennes- 
see. He was a man of wealth, and his family was 
very pious and intelligent. Three of their daughters 
were married to ministers — one to Rev. Jeptha Moore, 
another to George Wells, a man of talents and use- 
fulness. These two amiable ladies died early, leaving 
their husbands and numerous friends to lament their 
loss. The third daughter married the Rev. Mr. Har- 
rison, local preacher, and teacher in the academy at 
Jonesboro. Harrison was a good scholar, and a man 
of piety and fine preaching abilities. I esteemed the 
Ragon family for their work's sake ; and this regard 
was reciprocated. An extensive revival influence was 
now working its way, having begun under the labors of 
,the pious John Adam Granadd. This pious brother 
embraced religion when young in the interior of old 



132 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

Virginia. In a short time, being led away by a gay 
community, he backslid. His person was large, beau- 
tiful, and commanding; his mind highly cultivated; 
and possessing, by nature, a great amount of prac- 
tical wit, he had the advantage of other men for sev- 
eral years. To use the language of Dr. Young, "He 
reeled through a wilderness of joy, and endeavored 
to inebriate at fair fortune's fountain head." To use 
my own language, he luxuriated in all the pleasures 
of life as far as his circumstances would permit him; 
but having once tasted the consolations of religion, 
these worldly pleasures never could satisfy his immor- 
tal thirst. In the midst of his popularity he saw that 
he was most miserable; he knew that he had been a 
Christian ; he knew that he had sinned willfully 
against God with a high hand; he took a view of the 
criminality of his course, and drew the worst conclu- 
sion; namely, that he had sinned against the Holy 
Ghost. His soul became horrified, and he sunk into 
dark despair, and remained so for five dreadful years. 
In this state of mind he left Virginia and wandered 
into what is called middle Tennessee. As far as pos- 
sible he forsook human society, spending the most of 
his time among the large cane-brakes along the Cum- 
berland river ; sometimes, nearly starved to death. 
He mourned like the dove and chattered like the 
swallow. Kind friends would find him in the cane- 
brakes and take him to their houses, and keep him as 
long as they could; then he would wander away again 
till he was reduced to a mere skeleton. His bright 



JOHN ADAM GRANADD. 133 

infellect appeared like an expiring lamp. Yet all 
this time lie never gave up praying. 

This interresting and painful narrative I learned 
from his own mouth, many years after he was re- 
stored. 

About this time the great western revival of relig- 
ion began near Nashville, which gave rise to camp 
meetings. The Presbyterians and Methodists were 
particularly instrumental in this revival, which spread 
a hallowed influence through the United States. Mr. 
Granadd was induced to attend one of these camp 
meetings. He remained two days in bitter agony, 
and the second morning, between midnight and day, 
God had mercy upon him, and pardoned all his sins. 
He at once received the witness of the Holy Spirit 
that he was a child of God, and because he was his 
son, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into his 
heart, crying, Abba, Father. On that happy morning 
he composed one of his finest hymns, singing, 

" My dungeon shook, my chains fell off, 
Glory to God 1 1 cried." 

Being reclaimed, he, like Saul of Tarsus, conferred 
not with flesh and blood, but commenced preaching 
the next week. He joined the conference, and trav- 
eled four years, and God owned his labors above 
those of any other man in that part of the world. 
He preached nearly every day; and it was nothing 
uncommon for him to have from five hundred to a 
thousand hearers on a week-day appointment. He 



134 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

generally began his meeting about 11 o'clock, A. M., 
and held till 11 o'clock, P. M., with very little inter- 
mission. I have neither space nor ability to give the 
world a correct account of the life and times of John 
Adam Granadd. He was a sanctified Christian, an 
able minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, a spiritual 
poet; but he soon wore himself out in his Master's 
work. When he could no longer travel or preach, he 
took a location, settled down in a little log-cabin, and, 
in a short time, died in peace. 

Now I will return to my narrative. I spent three 
months of great prosperity on this circuit, and became 
acquainted with more good people than in almost any 
place I ever traveled. I will name a few with whom 
I took sweet counsel, and walked to the house of God 
in company. The family of Ernests: The old gen- 
tleman was from Germany, and owned large posses- 
sions on both sides of the Knowlechucke river. Like 
many Germans, he had a well-balanced mind, and an 
honest heart. He was blessed with a pious German 
wife, and, to all appearance, they walked together in 
all the ordinances of God's house without blame. 
They reared a large family. Both sons and daugh- 
ters followed the examples of their father and mother. 
Their oldest son, Felix, was a Methodist preacher. 
The happy seasons I enjoyed with this godly family 
are not yet forgotten. 

I formed a very happy acquaintance with the family 
of Judge Paine, who lived in the suburbs of Jones- 
boro. The Judge was a man of strong mind and 



MK. COSSON— THE JERKS. 135 

a good heart; his wife was a true specimen of southern 
ladies. The children were pleasant, gay, and spright- 
ly ; but pious Hannah was the star of that family. 

The Rev. Mr. Cosson was a native of old England, 
brought up in the school of Lady Huntingdon, and 
trained in early life by Fletcher and Benson. He 
was well acquainted with Whitefield and Wesley, and 
used to relate many anecdotes of these great and 
good men. Fletcher was his favorite. After lie 
came to America, he joined the Presbyterians. Mrs. 
Cosson — sister to Mrs. Hardin, consort of Gen. John 
Hardin, of Kentucky — was a professor of religion, a 
gay and sprightly member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, but very unlike her sister Hardin. They 
reared a large family of daughters, well trained, of 
fine manners, and of great beauty. 

In 1804, I first witnessed that strange exercise — 
the jerks; although I had heard much about it a few 
months previous. It prevailed, to a great extent, on 
every part of this circuit; but was more common 
among the Presbyterians than any other people. It 
was, however, no respecter of persons. Some of all 
denominations, and all classes in society, became its 
subjects. I will give a few instances, A Rev. Mr. 
Doke, a Presbyterian clergyman, of good standing, 
having charge of a congregation in the neighborhood 
of Jonesboro, was the first man of eminence, in this 
region, that came under its influence. It alarmed his 
family and congregation. The affection would often 
seize him in the pulpit, with so much severity, that a 



136 FIFTY YEARS IB THE ITINERANCY. 

spectator might fear it would break his neck, and dis* 
locate his joints. He would laugh immoderately, 
stand and halloo at the top of his voice, finally leap 
from the pulpit and run to the woods, screaming like 
a crazy man. TY~hen the exercise was over, he would 
return to the Church as rational and as calm as ever. 
Sometimes, at hotels, it would visit persons, and cause 
them, in the very act of raising the glass to their lips, 
to jerk and throw the liquor to the ceiling, to the 
merriment of some and the alarm of others. I have 
often seen the ladies take it at the breakfast table, 
as they were pouring tea or coffee. They would 
throw the whole up toward the ceiling, and sometimes 
break both cup and saucer. They would then leave 
the table in great haste, their long suits of braided 
hair hanging down their backs, at times, cracking like 
a whip. For a time, it was the topic of conversation, 
public and private, both in and out of the Church. 
Various opinions prevailed. Some said it was the 
work of the devil, and strove against it. Sometimes 
it almost took their lives. 

A young gentleman, for instance, some years be- 
fore the jerks, and before his conversion, had been a 
dancing-master. He joined the conference, and was 
stationed on this circuit. When he came on, the 
jerks were at their hight. He said it was the work 
of the devil, and he was determined to preach it out 
of the Methodist Church. He commenced the work 
with great zeal and high expectations, but, before he 
had gone once round, he took the jerks, or they took 



AMUSING SPECIMEN. 137 

him. Whenever he began, he would say, "Ah, yes; 
0, no." At every jerk, he began to use his hands 
and arms as if he were playing the fiddle. One 
morning, being seized as he was going to his appoint- 
ment, he let go his bridle, and the horse ran off, till 
he came to a gate. The rider dismounted, laying 
hold of the yard palings to steady himself; but, not 
being securely fastened, the palings gave way. The 
lady of the house came to the door, to see what was 
the matter. This mortified him more. He attempted 
to hide himself by running into the orchard, his long 
gown-tail flying in the wind. This attracted the at- 
tention 1 of some hounds lying in the yard, and they 
took after him. Being afraid of dogs, he turned, 
and went into the house ; then, running up stairs, he 
jumped into bed, and lay there till the fit was over. 
His proud heart would not submit, and the disease, 
as he called it, grew worse and worse. He gave up 
the circuit and retired, and his sun went down under 
a cloud. Poor man ! I loved him. The enthusiastic 
part of community courted it, and often declared it to 
be the power of God unto salvation. It did them no 
kind of harm. They were happy when they had it, 
and happy when it passed off. The wise ones of the 
day, such as William M'Kendree and Thomas Wilkin- 
son, said but little about it; but preached, exhorted, 
and prayed as though it was not in the country. 

I attended a camp meeting at Carter's station, at 
which about ten thousand people assembled. A long 
controversy had been going on between the Presby- 

12 



138 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

terians and Methodists. The Presbyterians used to 
say some bitter things about their Methodist neigh- 
bors, calling them hypocrites, and saying they could 
refrain from shouting if they would. They were the 
aristocracy, and we the poor people. On Monday 
morning, I preached. I was preceded by the venera- 
ble Van Pelt, who, having preached a short and pithy 
sermon, sat down, with the congregation bathed in 
tears. There was no appearance of jerks. I took 
the stand like most of men who know but little and 
fear nothing, and undertook to account for the jerks. 
The preachers behind me looked as if they were 
alarmed, the audience seemed astonished at the young 
man. I viewed it as a judgment on that wicked com- 
munity. This led me to take a compendious view of 
nations, to show that God's providence was just, as 
well as merciful. Though he bore long, his judg- 
ments were sure to come. 

My next proposition was, the great wickedness of 
the American people. Here I took occasion to enlarge 
on an intolerant spirit and religious bigotry, and that 
middle Tennessee had gone as far as any other part 
of the United States, in that unchristian practice. I 
took occasion to dwell on the rise and progress of 
Methodism in that country, and the cruel persecution 
its professors had met from their neighbors. I quoted 
their taunting language, " How the Methodists are a 
pack of hypocrites, and could refrain from shouting 
if they would." I made a pause, then exclaimed, at 
the top of my voice, "Do you leave off jerking, if 



CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 139 

you can." It was thought more than five hundred 
commenced jumping, shouting, and jerking. There 
was no more preaching that day. One good old 
mother in Israel, admonished me and said, "I had 
just done it in order to set them to jerking." 

The summer passed away in great delight ; and, I 
humbly trust, with some degree of profit, both to my 
own soul and to my congregation. It was in my 
heart to live and die with this good people ; but, early 
in September, the voice of Providence called, and I 
obeyed — bidding them a long and final farewell. 



140 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

MARIETTA CIRCUIT — 1805. 

During the past year, I had been afflicted with 
a very painful disease, also severe pain in my breast, 
burning in the palms of my hands, and soles of my 
feet, and copious night-sweats. These afflictions, I 
apprehended, were brought on by my incessant labors, 
on Wayne circuit. I crossed the Clynch mountain, 
and assisted Samuel Dowthet to hold a two days' 
meeting in Powell's valley. Here I met my presiding 
elder, and other brethren on their way to conference — 
passed Cumberland Gap, where I parted with Asbury 
eleven months before. This gave rise to a train of 
grave reflections. I thought on the many sermons I 
had preached — the many books I had read — the many 
thousand prayers I had offered both publicly and 
in private — the prosperity attending my ministerial 
labors, and the kind treatment I had received from 
the Lord's children. This was, to me, truly an event- 
ful year. I had had some trials and conflicts; but, 
when viewed with reference to the goodness of God 
toward me, they were not worth mentioning. 

I arrived in safety to where the conference was to 
sit. The providence of God toward me seemed to 
undergo a wonderful change; I passed under a dense 



OPENING OF CONFERENCE. 141 

cloud. Very many things transpired to depress my 
spirits. They appointed me to preach the first 
sermon, at the opening of conference. I had been 
so happy in that place, the year before, that the 
expectations of the preachers and people were raised ; 
they came out expecting to hear some good, if not 
great, things. But I was greatly embarrassed — my 
sermon disgraced me, and mortified my friends. I 
retired to my lodgings, and bore my grief in the best 
manner I could. 

Another thing cast me down still more — we heard 
that Bishop Asbury was sick — lying at Captain 
Beck's, Brooks county, Virginia — and, it was thought 
he, by that time, was dead. We came together like 
sheep without a shepherd. "We took our seats, look- 
ing wistfully at each other, not knowing what to do. 
At length the Rev. William Burke broke silence, 
saying, " We must elect a president, by ballot, to fill 
the chair." All agreed; and, the votes being count- 
ed, William M'Kendree was found to be elected with- 
out one dissenting voice. He wept freely, for some 
time, then arose and took the chair. Young Burke 
was elected secretary, and business began. Confer- 
ence was organized, and proceeding smoothly, when 
bad news reached me. My brother Benjamin, who 
was then a missionary, in Illinois — had fallen into 
some improprieties, though nothing worthy of expul- 
sion, or even of great censure, was brought against 
him. His conviction being keen and piercing, he 
deeply repented his follies. M'Kendree, not having 



142 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

a favorable opinion of him, took a very strong view 
of his imprudences, and thought he had been guilty 
of immoral conduct. He was, accordingly, expelled 
from the Church — as I thought then, and think now — 
most cruelly. I was strengthened in my opinion the 
next year. Bishop Asbury being then present, gave 
it as his opinion, that Benjamin had been wrongfully 
expelled, and made an attempt to have the case 
reconsidered, but was overruled by the conference. 
Brother M'Kendree afterward went to Illinois, where 
my brother then lived, in a backslidden state. He 
was reclaimed under M'Kendree's preaching, who 
took him into the Church, and, I believe, had his 
parchments restored. 

This circumstance of my brother's expulsion deeply 
affected my health, and shook my confidence in Meth- 
odism. I was strongly tempted to leave the confer- 
ence. But I kept my mind to myself, and determ- 
ined to have no counselor save my heavenly Father. 
Such men as Samuel Parker, Joab "Watson, Lewis 
Garret, and James Quinn clustered around me, in 
order to administer comfort in woe. But I refused 
to converse with them on the subject. I had put my 
hand to the Gospel plow, and if I should look back I 
would not be fit for the kingdom of heaven. I re- 
solved, if thousands should fall at my side, and ten 
thousand at my right hand, the Most High should be 
my habitation, his truth should be my shield and 
buckler. My poor heart has been like the needle to 
the loadstone from that day to this. 



REVIVAL— SICKNESS. 143 

Before conference was over, I was attacked with 
typhoid fever. I applied to Dr. Hynes for medical 
aid, and he gave me no relief. Notwithstanding all 
my afflictions of body and mind, this was a glorious 
Conference. We had a revival every night in my 
boarding-house. Dr. Hynes' two daughters were 
converted. I had fever every day, but was still able 
to work at night, and do my full part in carrying on 
the prayer meetings. I was appointed, this year, to 
the Marietta circuit* The morning after conference 
closed, I set out, in company with James Quinn, Jo- 
seph Williams, and others. I was riding a beautiful 
white horse. He carried me as easy as if I had been 
in a rocking chair. If he had not been a good ani- 
mal, I never should have reached my destination. I 
called him Pilgrim. Although I was a very sick man, 
I traveled upward of thirty miles, with a burning 
fever, the first day. I put up with a very kind fam- 
ily. The old lady and daughter treated me with un- 
bounded attention, did all they could to cool my fever 
and get me to sleep. It was all in vain. There 
must needs be preaching that night. Brother Quinn 
preached in the same room where I lay. The house 
being crowded, increased my fever. I became quite 
deranged, and thought brother Quinn was intending 
to preach all night. The congregation having dis- 
persed, the girls sat by my bedside till my fever 
abated, and I fell asleep. The next morning, they 
nourished me as well as they could. 

At an early hour we left the widow Barnes's, rode 



144 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

to Maysville, and put up with John Armstrong, who 
received us as the Lord's messengers. Being sick 
they prevailed upon me to take a glass of wine, which 
increased my fever, doing me much injury. Dinner 
being ready I could not eat, and in the afternoon we 
pursued our journey. We crossed the Ohio in a 
ferry-boat, and were insulted and interrupted by a 
negro. Journeying toward the east we tarried, that 
night, with Mr. Brown; met with kind treatment, 
great attention being paid the sick man. We reached 
Governor Tiffin's. I thought he treated me rather 
rudely. Perhaps he thought I was an ignorant young 
man, and not worthy. Brother Quinn told him I was 
very sick, and he gave me some pills. Mrs. Tiffin 
came in, and I found her to be a mother in Israel. If 
I had been her own son, she could not have paid me 
more attention. 

I suffered much through the night — arose early, 
parted with my brethren, Quinn and Williams, and 
went on my way alone. I made a large day's ride — 
put up with Jeremiah Spurgeon, in New Lancaster, 
where I tarried two days. Mr. Spurgeon, was a local 
preacher, and then out on his Master's business. I 
thought his wife and hired girl became tired of me, 
and when, on the third morning I left, Mr. Spurgeon 
did not ask me to stay longer. I made my way to 
old Edward Seals, who was a special friend of my 
father. I spent two or three days with them — was 
no better, and left and went to Rev. Kimrod Bright's. 
Here I spent the Sabbath and tried to preach, and 



INCREASING ILLNESS. 145 

on Monday I was much worse, being unable to pro- 
cure medical aid in this place. I started for Mari- 
etta. This day I reached the Falls of the great Hock- 
hocking river, and tarried all night with a poor 
family in a little log-cabin. Poor dried venison, 
dried pumpkin, and corn-bread, were my diet. I lay 
on a hard bed, my fever ran high, and I was a good 
deal deranged. I left early — rode twenty miles, and 
stopped to feed my horse at a kind of public house. 
They gave me dried venison, dried pumpkin, and corn- 
bread. But I could not eat. I rode about fifteen 
miles on the old Marietta trace, put up at night in 
a little log-cabin, with a man by the name of Wood- 
bury. My health being a little improved I consented 
to preach. I read the next day, rested, and in the 
evening, I grew worse. Mr. Woodbury alarmed for 
fear I would die on his hands, urged me vehemently 
to depart. I told him to be easy, I would leave, him 
in the morning. Before daylight, he had my white 
Pilgrim saddled and at the door. I rode about thirty 
miles, and put up with Cornelius Hogland, who lived 
near where Barlow church now stands, on Marietta 
circuit. I made out to get off my horse and call for 
a bed, for I was not able to sit up. Higland was a 
gentleman, and had a genteel family. I had every 
attention, but my fever was higher than at any other 
time. My mind became stultified. I could neither 
pray to God nor exercise faith in Christ. I thought 
my life was ebbing out, and I was in a bad condition 

to leave the world. I was very much deranged 

X3 



146 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

through the night, but in the morning was a little 
better. This was Sunday. I rode twelve miles, 
which brought me to Point Harmar. Here I stopped 
with old Esq. Fearing, father of the once celebrated 
Paul Fearing. He was a very old man. I thought 
it would not do to let him take care of my horse 
alone, so I went with him to the barn ; found it so 
well filled with oats and hay I could hardly get hold 
of either to feed my horse. I had to climb to the 
top of the barn before I could get any loose sheaves 
of oats. The barn was high, and I light-headed. 
Mr. Fearing was afraid I would fall and kill myself — 
he dared not speak lest he should make a bad matter 
worse. I succeeded, got down safely, and went to 
the house. Old Mrs. Fearing prepared me a nice 
supper, but I had no appetite. 

Methodism was a new and strange thing in Mari- 
etta, at that time. They had a kind of camp meet- 
ing there the preceding summer, and the preaching 
of William Burke had left a lasting impression on 
many minds. They were waiting with a great deal 
of anxiety for the Methodist preacher to come from 
conference. They heard I was there, and the house 
was soon filled; among the visitors was Dr. M'ln- 
tosh — he was overjoyed to see me, and soon had hold 
of my wrist, and then told me to let him see my 
tongue. After having made the examination, he 
said, "You have some fever, and are considerably 
exhausted. You need a little physic and some brac- 
ing up; come over to my house; I will cure you 



AT DEATH'S DOOR. 147 

directly. The company seeing I was too ill to con- 
verse, retired. I had a dreadful night, but in the 
morning •was a little better. I crossed the Mus- 
kingum, to Marietta, and went to the Doctor's house. 
Here my physical and mental strength failed. I 
sunk down in the first room I entered. They lifted 
me into a bed and the Doctor commenced operations. 
Two Presbyterian girls across the way, hearing of 
my condition, came over to see me, and I don't know 
that they both left the room at one time for twenty 
days. These were the daughters of old Deacon 
Shepard — Anna and Huldah. They are both gone 
to the spirit-world. I still love their memory. 

During three weeks, time was entirely lost to me. 
As far as I can recollect, I had neither faith, hope, 
nor charity. My sufferings during this time beggar 
all description. I was a stranger in a strange land, 
far from home, there being not one person in the 
place that I had ever seen or heard of before. My 
clothing pretty well worn out — but twelve and a half 
cents in my pocket — I was left to grapple with 
affliction both of body and soul. Soon I was so 
much reduced that I could not turn myself in bed. 
Huldah Shepard sat by me, day and night, thinking 
I would breathe my last. 

All classes of citizens seemed to take a lively in- 
terest in me and my recovery. The room was often 
so crowded that the Doctor would have to request 
them to remain outside. One of my constant attend- 
ants was Esquire James Whitney, of precious memory. 



148 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

He made it a rule to watch with me every other 
night, from bed-time till after midnight. If any 
thing was needed, he furnished me all the money 
necessary. Three doctors attended me for nineteen 
nights. They thought I could not notice ; some- 
times my intellect would arouse — I would see them 
sitting with their heads close together, talking in a 
low tone of voice. I knew they thought I was a 
dying man, and I thought so too. My clothing and 
room were kept in the best order. One day, Dr. 
M'Intosh came to me and asked me where my father 
lived- — I understood him perfectly well, though he 
said no more. 

On the twentieth day, the gloom that had envel- 
oped my mind dispersed. It was done in a very 
singular manner. My hearing came back to me 
suddenly. I heard two persons talking in the ad- 
joining room. One quoted this text, " I am the 
door: by me if any man enter, he shall be saved," etc. 
That moment my faith became operative. I saw 
Jesus Christ to be the door, and only door. I 
received the pleasing assurance, that I had now 
passed into that door, and was now in the kingdom. 
Tears began to flow — my strength returned, and I 
began to shout the high praises of God. I had 
never been so happy before. Dr. M'Intosh came 
early into the room, and, with a cheerful voice, said, 
" Brother Young, I have good news for you ; you 
are going to get well." I replied, Doctor, I hope 
not; I have passed the conflict, and am now quite 



CONVALESCENCE. 149 

on the verge of heaven. I do not want to go back 
into the wicked world. " Ah," said he, " you will 
live long, and do a great deal of good before you 
die." I told him I was sure of heaven now, and 
if I should recover, I might backslide, and be finally 
cast away. He replied, "Ko, never; a man that 
has gone as far as you have, never can backslide." 

I mended rapidly. In a few days I could walk 
about my room, and in a short time I was able to 
cross the street, some one holding my arm. A gen- 
tleman and his wife, near neighbors, were extremely 
anxious for my recovery. So soon as I was able to 
ride, he came every day with his horse, and helping 
me on, would lead him for hours about the village. 
By the time I was able to preach my first sermon, 
my acquaintance in Marietta was pretty general. 
The Putnams, Tuppers, Gilmans, Commodore Whip- 
ple and his large connections, General Meigs, etc., 
all felt a lively interest in the young preacher. A 
fallen minister lived near my boarding-house, by 
the name of Story ; he frequently came to see me in 
my greatest affliction, and often prayed for me. He 
was a doctor of divinity, of fine talents, and great 
gift in prayer, but alas ! he died a martyr to peach 
brandy. 

Among all my acquaintances, none stood so high 
in my estimation and affections as Captain James 
Whitney. He was then in the morning of life, a 
polished gentleman, tall and handsome, of well- 
cultivated mind, and as pure a man as ever I knew. 



150 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

I knew him well* In after life, we kept up a cor- 
respondence for near fifty years. He was a man 
of deep-toned, heaven-born piety, and did a large 
share in planting Methodism in Marietta and Point 
Harmar. Although he always remained among the 
laity, lie was, in a good degree, a bishop in the 
Methodist Church. For nearly forty years, he took 
the oversight of the flock, and provided for them 
temporally and spiritually. 

Next to James Whitney was Jonas Johnson. John- 
son was not a great man, but very popular ; he was 
one of that kind that always pass for their real 
worth. He was a man of open countenance, and 
great urbanity of manners ; he was a fine singer, and 
might be properly called a gay man of the world. 
Fond of parties, music, and dances, he generally 
took the lead in them ; but, withal, he was a skeptic 
in religion — sometimes a Deist, and sometimes a 
Universalist. During a severe sickness, he became 
much alarmed, thinking he was on a sandy founda- 
tion. As soon as I was able to travel he sent for 
me to come to him. We would sit down in his snug 
parlor and talk by the hour. My mind was then 
pretty well posted on all these subjects. I was 
ready to answer all his arguments against revealed 
and experimental religion. Frequently I left him at 
eleven o'clock at night, nearly right, but next day 
found him an infidel. I leave him for the present. 

I found that Methodism was unpopular in Marietta. 
The people loved me as a man, but not as a Meih- 



LABORS COMMENCED. 151 

odist preacher. The sons of the Puritans determined 
that Methodism should not be planted in their town. 
The happy morning arrived when I was permitted to 
open my mission. Dr. M'Intosh opened his large 
brick building, and, as I had no other place, I gladly 
accepted this. A large room was fitted up, accom- 
modated with seats, and was soon filled with willing 
hearers. Dr. True and Dr. Hart, who had been very 
attentive during my sickness, sat near the table where 
I stood. Rev. Dr. Story took his seat near my side, 
as though he intended to help me, should I fail. Rev. 
Solomon Goss was also present. My congregation 
made an imposing appearance. I gave out a hymn, 
and we had delightful singing. I made a short 
prayer, and read my text, but my knees were too 
weak to sustain my body. By leaning on the table, I 
made out to stand and deliver a lecture about fifteen 
minutes long. Dr. Story took the business out of 
my hands, closed services, and we departed. I kept 
myself very quiet during this week. I felt greatly 
discouraged, and had grave thoughts about returning 
to my father and mother. 

The next Sabbath, I tried to preach again. My 
strength was greatly increased, and the Lord gave 
me great freedom of speech. Next Sabbath was my 
quarterly meeting. The trustees of the academy 
kindly offered me their house to hold our meeting. 
I went down, Saturday, at 11 o'clock, but found no 
presiding elder, and received no information of the 
reason of his absence, which, however, I supposed, 



152 FIFTY TEAES IN THE ITINERANCY. 

was either the inclemency of the weather or the great 
distance of Marietta from his abode. The congrega- 
tion gathered, and I tried to preach. In the evening, 
Rev. Solomon Goss preached to a crowded house. 
He was all the help I had. I preached several times, 
held love-feast, and had an excellent quarterly meet- 
ing for that place at that time. Meeting over, and 
my health being a little improved, I began to think 
about taking my circuit. On examining my clothing, 
I found that my shoes were nearly worn out; they 
would neither keep my feet warm nor dry. My old 
cloak was too thin for that very cold winter. Having 
got but little quarterage the preceding year, my 
money was exhausted. I was at a loss to know what 
to do. But man's distress is God's opportunity. A 
strange lady came at the right time, and handed me 
a dollar. Solomon Goss gave me four or five dollars. 
Some other friends, unknown to me, sent a few dol- 
lars more. I went and bought me a pair of shoes, a 
piece of heavy cloth, and employed a Miss Thankful 
West to make me an overcoat for one dollar. By the 
time my garments were all in order, my money was 
all gone. 

The next thing that claimed my attention was a 
settlement with the doctor. He said he would be 
glad to throw in the whole bill, but he was a poor 
man, and it would not be doing justice to his family. 
The bill was twenty-seven dollars. I told him I 
could not pay it, but would, if ever I was able. He 
wanted to know if I had not better write to my father 



DELIVERANCE— RELAPSE. 153 

and get help. This I did not like to do. Here I 
thought much of what Rev. William M'Kendree said 
to me when he started me on my first circuit: "Jacob, 
be a faithful minister, and the Church will take care of 
you." I thought I had been faithful, and, it appeared 
to me, the Church had really failed. 

"God's providences ripen fast, unfolding every 
hour." There was a Methodist preacher living near 
Parkersburg, by the name of Reece "Wolfe — a man 
whom I had never seen or heard of before. He had 
heard of my situation. He went out and gathered a 
pretty heavy load of corn, wheat, rye, oats, and pota- 
toes, put them in a canoe, and, with his own hands, 
paddled that canoe from Parkersburg to Marietta. 
He sent for the doctor, settled off the whole account, 
and had money left. This circumstance has been of 
vast importance to me. 

I now left Marietta, traveled twenty miles, on a 
very cold day; in the evening, came to old Mr. Sam- 
uel Miller. He was an honest old Englishman, was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was 
blessed with a pious wife and good children. Next 
day, I tried to preach, but my journey on the day 
previous, and my preaching in a smoky house, nearly 
overcame me, and brought back my fever. I stopped 
with brother Callahan, preached in the evening, and 
rested the next day. In the afternoon, when my 
fever began to rise, I drew the conclusion that my 
end was come. Several, who had had the fever and 
taken a relapse, had died. I went to bed, turned my 



154 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

face to the wall, and wept freely. I thought I should 
never see my friends again, father or mother. Like 
Hezekiah of old, I began to pray to God to prolong 
my life. While praying, I went to sleep. I awoke, 
late in the night, in a profuse sweat. Feeling a great 
deal better, I arose from my bed. The family were 
waiting for me.- I prayed, went to bed again, and 
slept well till morning light appeared. I was com- 
fortable both in body and soul. 

While we were eating breakfast, some person 
rapped at the door. A tall young man entered, 
dressed rather slovenly, but of commanding counte- 
nance, noble eye, high forehead, and manly tread. 
He took his seat by the fire. The man of the house, 
who was very inquisitive, said, " Are you traveling ?" 
"Yes, sir." "Where are you from?" "Clermont 
county, Ohio." "Where are you going to?" "Ma- 
rietta." "What is your business ?" "I am hunting 
for a Methodist preacher, by the name of Jacob 
Young." "Well, here he is, at the table." I asked 
him his business with me. He replied, "I am come 
to help you preach. I am sent here by Rev. Wil- 
liam Burke, presiding elder." I inquired his name. 
" George C. Light." I suppose I had been glad to 
see men before, but never more so than at seeing this 
stranger. I told him I was just about starting for 
Marietta, and we would go together. 

That night, we had meeting at Miller's. The next 
day, we rode to Marietta — to the old stockade. The 
people clustered round us, as though we were mes- 



CARVER— JOHNSON — PARKER. 155 

sengers of peace. Friendly Dr. M'Intosh was the 
first to meet us. With both hands lifted, he ex- 
claimed, " Brother Young, I am glad to see you. 
When you left here, I thought you never would re- 
turn." We stopped with the Doctor, and had a great 
deal of pleasant conversation. 

I preached in the Doctor's house in the forenoon, 
sometimes in the court-house in the evening. Though 
we were driven from place to place, a large congre- 
gation still followed us. A man by the name of 
Carver who had a very large house invited me to 
come and preach there. My friend, Jonas Johnson, 
was still halting between two opinions, but his house 
became my home ; I had a comfortable stable for my 
horse. The winter was very severe. But in my 
feeble state I put off on the circuit. I went round 
one part, and my friend Light the other, calculating 
to meet every two weeks in Marietta. As the Ohio 
river was impassable we could not go over on the 
Virginia side. My first tour was to the Long Reach, 
on the Ohio river. Here I fell in with Mr. Sargeant. 
He was preaching in the house occupied by Meth- 
odists. He preached very long, very loud, and, at 
times, with great eloquence. He was followed by a 
young man by the name of Parker. Meeting ended, 
he gave out several appointments for himself. I rose 
and gave out a list of appointments for myself on 
that part of the circuit. He spoke very kindly and 
f said, " Well, if brother Young is going to preach in 
these places, I will withdraw my appointments." He 



156 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

tarried; we dined together, and had some friendly 
conversation — and exchanged thoughts very freely 
on certain points of theology, but all in good humor ; 
they took their departure and I tarried all night. I 
found the man that owned the house, very rough. 
He was an old hunter. Though a member of the 
Church, he professed no religion. I rather remon- 
strated against Sargeant's preaching in the same 
house we occupied. He told me very plainly that 
he was master of his own house, and would open it 
to whom he pleased, without asking any man. 

I pursued my regular appointments, preaching 
night and day, till I came back to Marietta. There I 
put up with Jonas Johnson, and found him much 
farther in the right way than when I left him. I 
went from here to Esq. Fearing's to meet brother 
Light. We were both much discouraged — the pros- 
pect was still growing darker in Marietta, and there 
was nothing nattering on any part of the circuit. 
The weather was very cold, and we slept in the 
garret, on a linen cot. I did not know but we 
should freeze before day. We went together down 
the river, and preached at Koggel Town, now called 
Warren. We visited Belpre and called on Major 
Putnam, son of the old wolf-killer, trying to get a 
preaching-place. The Major said we could be accom- 
modated if we would preach on Sabbath, but he did 
not think a congregation would turn out on a week- 
day. For the first time I now crossed the river, and 
passed round that part of the circuit as far as we 



COURAGE— EARNEST LABOR. 157 

could, for we were often stopped by ice, and high 
water. I returned to Marietta. Mr. Johnson, after 
some hesitation, united with the Church, and was an 
ornament to it during life. I felt a little like St. 
Paul when he came to Appii-forum and the Three 
Taverns. I took courage and went forward. I felt 
now that I could, with some prospect of success, 
organize a society. This I regard as the origin of 
Methodism in Marietta. I made out a class-paper, 
for the first time, although I had but few names to 
put on it : Noah Fearing, Elihu Francis and wife, 
Mrs. Bell, Samuel Gearing and wife, now Jonas 
Johnson and his wife — -this was our little flock. We 
soon appointed brother Johnson class-leader, and the 
work began to revive. 

The weather having become settled, and the roads 
passable, we pursued our appointments with undevi- 
ating ardor, preaching day and night, wherever 
opportunity offered. Light, though very young, was 
an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures. By 
his manly eloquence and laudable zeal, he did good 
work for God. I could do but very little. He was 
truly a lovely young man, honest, confiding, sociable, 
amiable, and withal very pious. He was destined to 
make a popular pulpit orator, and we have realized 
in his future life, all we expected of him. 

About this time we held a protracted meeting 
on the banks of the little Kanawha just below Par- 
kersburg. Having cleared the ground with our 
own hands, built a pulpit and made seats, we 



158 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

commenced operations on Friday, and held it till Wed- 
nesday. This meeting resulted in great good. Al- 
most every body able to travel attended meeting night 
and day. Colonel Phelps, who was the most distin- 
guished man in the county, and a great sportsman, 
attended with all his family, and was deeply- affected 
under the work. When we closed this meeting, 
I thought the victory was won. The Kinclows, 
Kreels, Tom Taverner, Lewis Emmet, acted nearly 
as though the great deep of their hearts was broken 
up; but alas, for the poor men, very few of them ever 
were converted. 

A few weeks after, the time for holding our third 
quarterly meeting came on ; we concluded to hold a 
camp meeting in the town of Marietta, in a beautiful 
orchard, on the banks of the Muskingum, just below 
the stockade. Some of our warm-hearted Presbyte- 
rians, and others, opposed our holding a meeting in 
the orchard, advised us to hold it in a very large new 
building, belonging to Governor Meigs, then Colonel 
Meigs. We accepted the offer, and commenced put- 
ting the house in order. Many of our friends al- 
leged it would not hold half the congregation. The 
Governor not then being at home, Mrs. Meigs — a 
timid woman — was afraid the house would be burned. 
So we went back to the orchard — erected a pulpit — 
made seats — and had every thing in ample order by 
Friday morning. Preaching-hour came ; but no pre- 
siding elder appearing, we were very much discour- 
aged, but not in despair. By this time many of our 



QUINN AND TAYLOR. 159 

country friends came in, and pitched their linen tents. 
At eleven o'clock, Young preached and Light ex- 
horted ; and at night, Light preached and Young ex- 
horted. About ten o'clock the congregation retired, 
and those who had tents on the ground went to rest. 
We discovered a great many rude young men and 
boys, reconnoitering the ground, acting as though 
they intended to make a disturbance ; so, placing our 
sentinels on guard, we retired to rest. All was quiet 
till morning. 

At an early hour the trumpet sounded louder and 
louder. The people assembled around the tabernacle 
of the congregation, for morning prayer. Jonas 
Johnson led the singing to great advantage. There 
were a great many powerful prayers offered up to 
almighty God. The sons and daughters of the old 
Puritans gathered around and looked on as spectators, 
but could see nothing they could object to. 

Late on the evening before, Rev. James Quinn and 
Rev. Londer Taylor arrived at Esq. Fearing's, al- 
though we did not know it till morning. They in- 
formed us the elder was not very well, and they had 
come to fill his place. They took the stand at eleven 
o'clock, and did the most of the preaching from that 
time till the meeting closed. Their sermons were a 
little like the letters St. Paul used to write to the 
Corinthians — weighty and powerful. The preaching 
of brother Burke made a fine impression in the town 
the year before; but the people thought Taylor far 
exceeded him. Brother Light was our principal 



160 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

exhorter, and conducted the prayer meeting to great 
advantage. 

We held this meeting about a week. A goodly 
number professed to be converted, and joined the 
Church. The morning we closed the meeting was a 
time long to be remembered. Many tears were shed 
around the stand, on that delightful morning. When 
Quinn and Taylor gave them their valedictories, the 
people clustered around them, sorry, the most of all, 
because they expected to see their faces no more. 
We spent the remainder of the week visiting through 
the town. Every body that spoke to us seemed 
pleased with the camp meeting. Here Methodism 
began to gain ground. We pursued our regular work 
during the last quarter, and there appeared to be 
more good done than all the year before. Our fourth 
quarterly meeting came on about the first of Septem- 
ber, and we held it on the same spot of our former 
meeting. Elder Burke was there at an early hour, 
and looking like a hero well harnessed for battle. I 
suppose he made, then, some of the happiest efforts in 
the pulpit he ever made in his long life. Meeting 
over, I repaired to Esq. Kinclow's, in order to prepare 
my papers for conference. After I had every thing 
ready, I sat down and reviewed my work during the 
conference year. Although we had had a little good 
done, it was, on the whole, the most barren year I 
had experienced during my ministry. 



STARTING FOR CONFERENCE. 161 



CHAPTER IX. 

LIMESTONE CIRCUIT — 1806. 

On Wednesday, in company with my presiding 
elder and colleague, we started for conference. We 
rode about twenty miles and put up in the town of 
Belleville. Here my beloved Light was attacked with 
bilious fever. We labored hard all next day to break 
the fever, and take him along with us. But the fever 
grew worse, and we were compelled to leave him. 
This was an hour that tried men's souls. He was a 
young man, only twenty-one years old, far from home, 
among strangers. I told Burke he would have to go 
on alone, I must take care of the young man. Brother 
Burke prayed for him — gave him some good advice — 
dropped a few tears, and left us. The landlord being 
a kind man, assured me there was no need of my 
remaining — the sick man should have every attention, 
and he, himself, would take him back to Parkersburg. 
Light then urged me to go, and Burke still lingered, 
as though he was unwilling to leave. I left my dear 
young brother with many tears. 

On Tuesday we arrived at Portsmouth. This was 

then a very small place, hardly deserving the name 

of town. The Scioto was rising, and we had to cross 

it. As there was no ferry-boat we went on early in 
14 



162 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

the morning. Some told us it was too high to ride ; 
but, we perceived wagons had gone over the evening 
before, and we concluded to venture. Brothers Burke 
and Williams were to remain on shore, and let me 
make the experiment. I ventured in, and found the 
current very strong — the water coming up to my 
saddle-skirts. I went about two-thirds over, and the 
water seemed a little more shallow. Just as I turned 
my head to tell my companions to come- on, I came to 
a stepping-off place. The horse went under out of 
sight. I was covered all but my head. The horse 
soon recovered and began to swim, and in a few mo- 
ments I gained the other shore. When I reached the 
bank and invited my traveling companions to follow, 
they thanked me kindly, but took another direction. 
I journeyed on alone, very wet. As I had just re- 
covered from the ague, I expected it would bring on 
a relapse ; and so it did. After traveling about two 
miles 1 came to a public house. By this time I was 
shaking as if I had a fit of the ague. 

Here I met with a young gentleman who was keep- 
ing store. He took me into his sleeping-room, and 
furnished me with dry clothes from head to foot. He 
built up a large fire, and then handed my wet clothes 
over to be washed. In a short time they provided 
me a good warm breakfast. I felt more comfortable 
and laid me down to rest. 

In the afternoon my traveling companions came 
on. They had gone up the river some distance, took 
a canoe, and, by the assistance of some boys, swam 



OPENING OF CONFERENCE. 163 

their horses and came across. We went on our jour- 
ney, but by the time I came into the neighborhood of 
Maysville I was shaking with the ague. The next 
morning Burke took the ague. Williams being well, 
went on without us. We staid upward of two weeks, 
and then went to brother Burke's house. A local 
preacher lived in the yard with him, Rev. Mr. Rogers. 
We had every attention, but we suffered much. The 
circuit preachers came in and took care of us. So 
soon as we were able to ride we moved on, and came 
to conference in good time. The conference was held 
in a large stone house belonging to old Anthony 
Huston. He had two sons preachers, William and 
Anthony. I had the ague every day, followed by 
burning fever and copious night-sweats. I was re- 
duced to a mere skeleton. 

Conference opened on Wednesday morning, as 
usual, Bishop Asbury in the chair, Bishop Whatcoat 
by his side, M/*Kendree and other venerable men be- 
ing seated around a little platform. They called the 
list, and when they came to my name I answered. 
The Bishop raised up his head, looked and said, 
" Where V 9 Though I had not seen him for two years, 
he still remembered my name, and said, "Jacob, you 
look very peaked." 

This was the third conference I had attended. 
Business progressed with great peace and harmony. 
There was a revival going on in the neighborhood, 
and the meetings were very interesting. Several 
able ministers were then visitors from other confer- 



164 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ences. Among them was the Kev. Joseph Crawford, 
of New York. He was, at that time, the star of the 
New York conference. He preached with great lib- 
erty, and his sermons were blessed to the congrega- 
tions. 

During the last two years very many had been 
admitted on trial in the great Western conference. 
Though the room where we were assembled was more 
than as large again as the one occupied the year pre- 
vious, yet it was crowded with preachers and visitors. 
Bishop Asbury's custom was to suspend conference 
business and give us time for spiritual exercise. I 
discovered in the conference-room a large, plain-look- 
ing man, by the name of James Axley. He appeared 
to take a very lively interest in the speaking exercise. 
At length he rose to his feet and said, " I feel that I 
have something to say." He gave us a plain and 
unvarnished narrative of his conviction and conver- 
sion, and of his call to the ministry. There was 
such a holy unction attending his words that it deeply 
affected every one in the house, from the Bishop down 
to the youngest preachers. M'Kendree appeared to 
be delighted into raptures. This was one of the best 
speaking meetings I ever attended in all my life. The 
exercises closed with his speech. We were too much 
overcome to hold it any longer. 

I met with my long-tried friends, Parker, Watson, 
Garret, Lotspiech, and many others; they all appeared 
sorry to see my pale face, languid eyes, and trem- 
bling limbs. They thought my itinerant career was 



POOR HEALTH — LIMESTONE CIRCUIT. 165 

over. But I still trusted in the living God and re- 
solved to take another appointment, if they would 
give me one. 

This was a peaceful and prosperous conference. 
The Rev. Joseph Crawford said it was the best con- 
ference he had ever attended. I was appointed, this 
year, to Limestone circuit. I left the conference and 
traveled to my circuit alone in very poor health. My 
night-sweats increasing, I was troubled with a little 
hectic cough. When I joined the conference I was a 
healthy young man, blessed with as good a constitu- 
tion as any man I ever knew. Four short years of 
an itinerant life had, to all appearance, worn me out. 

I felt a strong inclination not to go to my appoint- 
ment, but to retire to my father's house; but after 
much reflection and many prayers I determined, by 
the blessing of God, I would try it another year. I 
went on to the circuit and found things in rather a 
bad condition. There had been very extensive revi- 
vals on that circuit for several years past, but their 
influence seemed to have gone by — many had back- 
slidden, there was dissatisfaction in almost all the 
congregations, and the exercise of discipline was 
loudly called for. I was hardly able to travel from 
one appointment to another; my colleague was a very 
young man, of small talents and very little informa- 
tion, and when the people saw their preachers they 
became much discouraged. Many of them said we 
shall have very little good done this year. I spent 
several days in Maysville at John Armstrong's, try- 



166 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ing to recruit my health. I found but fourteen Meth- 
odists in the town at that time. I preached on Sun- 
day, and had a lively class meeting. 

From this place I went to Hadyn's meeting-house. 
Here I found a very large and flourishing society, 
and became acquainted with Jarvis C. Taylor, a local 
preacher of high standing. He was thought to be a 
pretty good poet for those days. He made many of 
our fine camp meeting songs, and wrote several pam- 
phlets, one entitled, "News from the Infernal Re- 
gions." Next I preached in Germantown. Thence 
I advanced to Newlen's meeting-house. Here I found 
a large society and some very strong men. Method- 
ism appeared to have taken possession of this part of 
the country — John Hanson, Herod Newlen, and Rev. 
Mr. Ward were the distinguished men. I had another 
preaching-place in the neighborhood of the well- 
known Thurston Thomas, close by the Rev. Lewis 
Cragg, a very distinguished Baptist preacher, who 
lived long and did a great deal of good in Kentucky. 

From this place I went to Augusta, on the Ohio 
river. Here, having no society, things wore a gloomy 
aspect. From thence to Baker's settlement; thence 
to Shannon meeting-house — society very large, but 
low in religion; thence to John Wiggins's, near the 
Lower Blue Licks — small society here, but some ex- 
cellent members ; thence to Standerford, Upper Blue 
Licks ; thence to old father Reeves's — where my pros- 
pects began to brighten; thence to Fleming's, where 
they had a very small society; thence to Locust meet- 



SHADOWS-LIGHTS. 167 

ing-house; thence to Fox Creek church; thence to 
Flemingsburg, where Methodism was prospering ; 
thence to Fitch's meeting-house ; thence to Stroud's 
station, Mills's station, and Nathan Hill's; thence to 
Plummer's, on Cabin creek ; thence to Cottey's ; 
thence to Savage's ; thence to George Phillips's. 

I had now finished one round ; discerned how the 
land lay ; reconnoitered the whole circuit, and seen 
what I had to do. By this time my health began to 
improve, and my young colleague was doing the best 
he could. 

Our first quarter was a very dull one. I do not 
believe there was one soul within the bounds of the 
circuit converted during the quarter. Brother Burke 
came to our quarterly meeting, and brought with 
him a brother M'Guire. They labored hard, but 
appeared to produce but little effect, and I concluded I 
was going to have a barren year. I went to Mays- 
ville, and spent several days ; gave myself up entirely 
to prayer and reading the holy Scriptures. One 
evening, I was walking the banks of the Ohio river, 
solitary, when the Holy Ghost visited my soul and 
gave me what I call a Divine assurance that I should 
have a very prosperous year ; and I began to preach 
with more zeal and more courage than usual. 

The presiding elder, from some cause not known 
to me, removed brother Sellers to another part of 
the district, and sent brother Miles Harper, from 
Lexington circuit, to help me. 

This was a fortunate change. Harper was one 



168 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

of the most useful Methodist preachers I ever knew. 
Before he had gone once round, his praise was in 
all the Churches. The congregations nearly doubled. 
As I followed him round, I could hear sinners crying 
for mercy at all his appointments, and the young 
people flocking to join the Church. Harper was an 
excellent preacher, and excelled in exhortation. He 
was one of the sweet singers of Israel. His lungs 
appeared never to tire. He had an elastic body, and 
his whole soul appeared to be in the work of God. 
Our first revival was at Limestone. It commenced 
the first time brother Harper preached there, and 
continued through the conference year. 

The next revival began at Flemingsburg, and 
spread with great rapidity — -nearly round this large 
circuit. Early in the summer, we held a camp 
meeting near Mills's station. We were blessed with 
ministerial help. Parker, Askings, Quinn, and our 
own local brethren, made a very strong corps. The 
Captain of our salvation appeared to be both in the 
front and in the rear. Parker, Quinn, and Askings 
did the preaching; Harper and I exhorting and 
laboring in the altar. 

This meeting lasted about one week, and I suppose 
there were about one hundred converted. We formed 
our circuit like the figure 8; and met every two 
weeks at old Joshua Barnes's. We preached by 
turns — a large number of young ladies joined the 
Church and experienced religion. This brought out 
the young gentlemen, a goodly number of whom 



A PROSPEROUS CAMP MEETING. 169 

became pious. I regard the revival at Joshua Barnes's 
as one of the best I ever witnessed in my long life. 

Our fourth quarterly meeting soon came on. We 
held it near the town of Flemingsburg. To prevent 
disorder, I took a lease of nearly a hundred acres of 
land. Harper drew up the rules to govern the camp 
meeting, and pasted up copies on the trees along the 
road, that every one might know them. Then he 
selected twenty-four reliable men as guard, and we 
appointed him captain of the guard. Our rules were 
very mild, and few in number ; but the people saw we 
were determined to enforce them. 

Burke was there in the vigor of health, and 
preached with all the energy and pathos of a young 
man. There was a vast number of tents on the 
ground. The work commenced on Thursday, and went 
on with little intermission till the next Wednesday. 
The presiding elder remarked, that during fifty-four 
hours the voice of singing never ceased for a moment. 
A vast number united with the Church, and a great 
number were converted — how many I can not now 
recollect. 

We passed round the circuit with all convenient 
speed, regulating the societies, appointing new lead- 
ers, settling difficulties, which was very easily done 
then, for they all appeared to love one another. 
We held a two days' meeting in the town of Flemings- 
burg, which was our last appointment. Here we left 
our spiritual children ; many weeping, some rejoicing, 

and nearly all promising to meet us in heaven. 

15 



170 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

This I regard as one of my prosperous years. My 
health had greatly improved during the year, and 
I enjoyed much more religion than when I came on 
to the circuit. I am greatly indebted to Miles Har- 
per for my own prosperity this year. Although I 
was preacher in charge, he was always willing to do 
the heaviest of the work. Harper led a very event- 
ful life, and, in general, was one of the lights in 
Israel. He made one sad blunder : He connected 
himself with slavery, which cast him into the shade 
for several years ; but he recovered his strength long 
before his death, and continued to be an itinerant 
preacher, and died in great peace. 

We set out for conference about the first of Sep- 
tember. We traveled on, preaching by the way, till 
we came near the Crab Orchard, on the borders of the 
wilderness, lying between Kentucky and the Cum- 
berland mountains. Here we attended a quarterly 
meeting at a brother Johnson's. We met with 
brother Burke and eleven traveling preachers, all on 
their way to conference. 

For the first time, I saw Valentine Cook, a man 
well known in the Methodist Church. We had an 
excellent quarterly meeting, and we prepared, on 
Monday morning, to take the wilderness. I was 
elected, by unanimous vote, to take charge of the 
company, provide lodging, etc. When we got on the 
road we made a very imposing appearance — all in 
good health, well dressed, and mounted on good 
horses. We rode about thirty miles before we 



i 



TOLL-GATE — DIFFERENT VIEWS. 171 

stopped. We passed on very pleasantly till we came 
near Cumberland Gap ; where we found there was 
a toll-gate erected — not according to law. There 
had been great strife — something like war — between 
the gate-keeper and travelers. The gate was de- 
signed for the benefit of a road from the Gap to 
Abington, and no other ; but they had fixed the 
gate a little north of the Gap, and demanded toll 
of those going to Carolina, as well as those going 
to Abington. Our company, understanding the 
fact, were not willing to pay the toll. We were 
going on the Carolina road, and had paid toll at 
Ballinger's for the privilege of riding on the wilder- 
ness road. 

My advice was that, as we were Methodist preach- 
ers, we pay the toll and pass on quietly. A good 
many dissented from my opinion, and a pretty warm 
debate ensued. There was a certain brother, John 
Ray, traveling with us. He was a local preacher, a 
man of great muscular power, and natural courage 
equal to his strength. He remarked that, if we 
would give him the charge, he would take us through 
without paying a cent. I asked him how he would 
do it. His reply was, " I will ride up to the gate and 
command the keeper to open it." I asked, "What if 
he refuses ?" " Why, I will break the gate down, and 
let them do their worst." "Will not that be a re- 
proach to the ministry?" He replied, "I'll risk it." 
I said no more, but there was a good deal of clamor- 
ing behind me. This was a very trying hour to me. 



172 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

For some time, I did not know what to do. I ex- 
pected Burke would interfere and give direction, but 
he said nothing, riding along smiling. I had the 
power in my own hand, for I had the money. They 
had authorized me to pay off all the bills, and draw 
on them when we came to conference. I rode before, 
and came first to the gate. I asked the keeper what 
was to pay. He told me, and I had the money 
counted in my pocket, having learned before what the 
charge was, and rode on. The company looked sour, 
and showed some dissatisfaction; but, after awhile, 
they turned it off pleasantly, and we went on our 
way rejoicing. 

We arrived at conference in good time, and found 
Bishop Asbury there, in good health. Bishop What- 
coat having died during the year, Asbury was again 
alone. We met a large company of Methodist min- 
isters, who, to appearance, were all enjoying good 
health, and, as far as we could judge, were under the 
influence of the spirit of itinerant evangelists. We 
were all well accommodated with comfortable lodgings 
and good places to keep our tired horses. The meet- 
ing-house stood near the bank of the Knowlechucke 
river. 

Conference opened on Wednesday morning, Bishop 
Asbury in the chair, and Wm. Burke was chosen sec- 
retary. William M'Kendree appeared to be the man 
of the conference. He might have reminded one of 
Ulysses, when directing the operations of the Trojan 
War. At that day, he was truly a man of God. I 



DR. COKE'S CIRCULAR LETTER. 173 

think I shall never look upon his like again. Glan- 
cing over the conference, I found many of my favorito 
preachers missing. My father in the Gospel was not 
there. Lewis Garret had located and retired. Joab 
Watson was gone. John Watson, Learner Blackman, 
and E. W. Bowman were all absent. But their places 
were filled with fine-looking young men. 

For the first time, I saw Rev. David Young. He 
was tall and elegantly built, with long yellow hair 
hanging over his shoulders, a high forehead, and com- 
manding countenance. Any one, well skilled in phre- 
nology, would have known that such a fine form con- 
tained a noble soul. My beloved friend, S. Parker, 
occupied an enviable position in this conference. This 
was, emphatically, called the great Western confer- 
ence. It extended from the Muskingum river to 
ISiew Orleans. These were days of the right hand 
of our great Redeemer in the western valley. 

We entered on the business of the conference with 
great harmony ; and, as far as I know, brotherly love 
abounded in every heart. The first thing of import- 
ance that claimed the attention of the conference 
was a circular letter from Dr. Coke. He was the first 
bishop of the Methodist Church, but had been rather a 
nominal than an efficient bishop ; for he only attended 
our General conferences, and spent the rest of his 
time in Europe. This he had done by the consent of 
the General conference, holding himself in readiness 
to come any time the conference would call for him. 
But, as his services were needed in Ireland and the 



174 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

West India Islands, the conference consented to let 
him stay. In his circular, he proposed to make some 
important changes. His own words were: "If I 
come again, I come to stay with you during life." 

He said many things in this letter, but one thing 
specially a.roused the attention of our conference. 
This was, a proposal to divide the work — he to take 
one part, and Bishop Asbury the other. The think- 
ing and intelligent part of the conference was aston- 
ished above measure, to hear such a proposition 
made by Dr. Coke. We appointed a committee to 
answer the Doctor's letter. M'Kendree was foreman 
of that committee, and wrote the answer with his 
own hand. The letter was short, but pithy. It was 
kind, polite, and courteous, but very firm. It in- 
formed the Doctor that we would not submit to a 
division of the work, and, rather than have the work 
divided, we would depose both of the bishops. 

Though I was then a young man, I thought the 
language entirely too strong. I made a motion to 
have that part stricken out. M'Kendree told me if I 
had that stricken out, I would have to fight for it, I 
did fight as long as I could, but, being completely 
overcome by argument, I sat down like a man that 
had been badly whipped. This debate was worth a 
great deal to me. I never knew before that the 
Methodist Church claimed a right to depose bishops, 
unless they were guilty of imprudent or immoral 
conduct. This act led me to study the nature of our 
government more particularly; when I ascertained, to 



FUNERAL OF BISHOP WHATCOAT. 175 

my own satisfaction, that the General conference has 
that right, and that it is founded on the relation that 
exists between the General conference and our Epis- 
copacy. 

This letter was found to be of great importance 
when the great Southern secession took place. For, 
at that time, Bishop M'Kendree's opinion, both in the 
south and in the north, was the next thing to law, 
and continued to be so respected long after his death. 
When Bishop Soule, and others, were contending for, 
what we called, high episcopacy, I recollected that 
letter, and told Dr. Elliott where he might find it. 
He got hold of it, and published it in the Western 
Christian Advocate. This, to a very great extent, 
put a quietus on that unpleasant controversy. 

The next thing that claimed our attention was the 
funeral of Bishop Whatcoat. Though he was lying 
cold in the grave in Delaware, we thought it our duty 
and privilege to have a funeral sermon preached in 
our conference. As a matter of course, Bishop As- 
bury had to preach it. His text was, "Behold an 
Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile." He 
traced the life of Whatcoat from his youth to old age. 
He had been Asbury's class-leader when they were 
both young men in old England. Asbury had long 
been his bishop in America. Some few years before 
his death, he became Asbury's colleague in the Epis- 
copacy. According to the account given of him by 
Asbury, he was truly " an Israelite indeed, in whom 
there was no guile." 



176 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Conference business went on as usual, but the spirit 
of revival in that part of the country was dying 
away. Preachers, in general, did not enjoy much 
liberty in preaching. Congregations appeared dull 
and languid. A great change had taken place for 
the worse since I had left that place, three years 
before. 



JOURNEYING WITH M'KENDREE. 177 



CHAPTER X. 

NASHYILLE CIRCUIT — 180 6. 

I received my appointment to Nashville circuit — 
right on the ground where the great -western revival 
had commenced, about eight or nine years before. 
The circuit was large and very weighty. I trembled 
at the thought of taking the charge. My colleague 
was not present. I prepared for my appointment as 
soon as I could. William M'Kendree being my pre- 
siding elder, I was anxious to go in his company 
through the wilderness. I went and asked him 
what time he would start. He seemed to be absent- 
minded and gave me a very abrupt answer. I felt 
deeply wounded, but determined to commit it all to 
patience; and according to one of his wise sayings, 
make a virtue out of a calamity. I watched him very 
closely, and determined that when he started I would 
be just behind him. Late in the afternoon I saw him 
mount his large white horse and turn his head toward 
the west. David Young and myself followed at a 
respectful distance. We had in our company a curi- 
ous, eccentric man, by the name of Benjamin Edge. 
We rode on pretty briskly through a pleasant country, 
and had not gone many miles before Elder M'Ken- 
dree turned round and told us, as placid as a May 



178 FIFTY TEAKS IB THE ITINERANCY. 

morning, to come up. Evening soon came on, and we 
looked out for a place to lodge. As we did not wish 
to crowd M'Kendree, David and myself looked out 
for another place, and left M'Kendree and Edge 
together. David and myself had a great many things 
to talk about, and did not go to sleep till very late. 
As vre were not acquainted with M'Kendree's mode 
of traveling, we indulged in a morning nap. Before 
we were out of bed. M'Kendree was at the gate calling 

' CO 

for us. We came cut on the porch and he rode off 
and left us. We did not stay to get breakfast or feed 
our horses, but put off in a great hurry. I was riding 
a noble horse, for which I could have had two hun- 
dred dollars after that. We traveled very fast till 
about one o'clock. 

We stopped for dinner and to feed our horses. 
By some means my horse ate too much corn. M'Ken- 
dree started soon, and rode very fast, and we had to 
follow. Jesse "Walker and myself rode before. We 
took the wrong road. It rained very hard, and we 
were involved in Holston mountains. I found my 
noble horse was foundered. I reflected on myself, 
because I did not go alone, and I knew there was no 
necessity for driving in this way. I felt chafed in 
my feelings, being wet from the shoulders down to 
my feet, and having my shoes filled with water. We 
came to the place where M'Kendree and his company 
had lodged a little after dark. They were all over- 
joyed to see us. for they feared we should have to 
lodge in the hills that night. We stopped with a 



JOURNEY CONTINUED. 179 

local preacher by the name of Winters, a very 
clever man. He paid us every attention necessary. 
M'Kendree went to his saddle-bags and got me some 
dry clothes, but I declined putting them on. Brother 
Winters began to talk about doctoring my horse. I 
gave him an improper answer, and he left me to my- 
self, which was exactly right. They all saw I was 
chafed in my feelings, and they let me alone. I bled 
my horse a little in the mouth — put him up, then 
went to the throne of grace and prayed till I gained 
the victory. 

In the morning I rose early — found my horse very 
stiff, rubbed his limbs a long time — gave him a little 
grain, and found he had a good appetite. Breakfast 
being over, my company started. I followed behind, 
leading my horse. M'Kendree took the lead, as the 
day before, traveling briskly. My horse soon began to 
walk pretty fast — then broke into his long, sweeping 
trot. I was soon in the front, and they had enough 
to do to keep up with me. We had, by this time, 
come into the "wilderness" bearing on toward the 
Cumberland mountains. We stopped, about noon, 
under some shade-trees, gave our horses a few ears 
of corn that we had in our saddle-bags, ate some cold 
meat and bread, drank some cold water, mounted our 
horses and rode on till dark. We camped in the 
woods. This was a cold, frosty night. 

Next day we came to the Cumberland mountains at 
'Spence's Gap. This was the worst place I ever saw 
for horses to go down with wheeled carriages. David 



180 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Young was well acquainted with the road, and having 
traveled it often before he became a preacher, he 
had many curious anecdotes to relate, with regard 
to the Cumberland mountains, and Spence's Gap. He 
said, that families moving across that mountain, 
when they came to the brink of the precipice, would 
cut down tall saplings, and chain them to the hind 
part of the wagons, to prevent them running on the 
horses, then locking all the wheels, four men would 
take hold of the vehicle, one at each wheel, to help 
the horses hold back, and as the early emigrants 
traveled in large companies, they would take one 
wagon down at a time, and when they got that to the 
foot, they would go back and fetch another, and so 
on till all were down. He told of one man with a 
good team and fine new wagon, who, unfortunately 
for himself and family, became drunk. The company 
advised him not to attempt to descend the mountain 
without help. His reply was — " He would'nt own 
horses that couldn't outrun a wagon." The family 
got out, and away he went, breaking his wagon all to 
pieces, and killing his horses, and narrowly escaping 
with his life. So much for King Alcohol ! 

We all dismounted when we came to the summit, 
led our horses down, pursued our journey till about 
twelve o'clock, when our leader, M'Kendree, halted 
under the shade of a large green-tree. Each man 
had a few ears of corn in his saddle-bags. We fed 
our horses on the grass. M'Kendree had a table- 
cloth with him which he spread on the ground. Each 



M'KENDREE'S SOCIALITY. 181 

one took out his provision and put it in order on the 
cloth. M'Kendree asked a blessing. Having plenty 
of good mountain water close by, we enjoyed our 
dinner well. M'Kendree gave us good lessons of 
instruction, then entertained us with his fine anec- 
dotes. 

Our horses having finished their corn, we rubbed 
them down, and watered them, and then pursued our 
journey, till sundown, without seeing even a cottage 
or cabin. We pitched our tents on the margin of a 
beautiful stream, fed our horses, and provided for 
our own wants. After singing a hymn, M'Kendree 
prayed, and preached us a short sermon. As we 
were not in a hurry to go to bed, M'Kendree enter- 
tained us with fine conversation — he told us of a gen- 
tleman moving to west Tennesssee, some years since, 
on that road. The gentleman was a slaveholder, had 
some negroes along, and as the road was not far from 
the Cherokee nation, a chief of that nation came to 
the gentleman's tent, bringing a young Indian with 
him. Some time in the night a large negro man, 
thinking the chief was wishing to make too free with 
his wife, repulsed him. The chief became very angry, 
and stabbed the negro and killed him. This raised 
a dreadful storm in the camp. The Indian stood his 
ground and did not try to run off. After a long 
quarrel the chief offered to pay for the man he had 
killed. I think his first offer was three hundred 
dollars; the man asked him five. The Indian rising 
to his feet, said, "No me weigh first" — that is, "me 



182 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

be hanged first." After much parleying they settled 
it, and he paid five hundred dollars for the life of 
the man. - 

We now all spread our blankets and great-coats, 
and laid us down to sleep upon the cold ground, and 
the starry heavens over our heads. 

M'Kendree roused us about three o'clock ; the 
night was very clear, and the ground was covered 
with white frost. We had gathered a quantity of 
wood, of which M'Kendree made a large fire before 
he called us. 

We ate a slight breakfast, fed our horses, and were 
soon on our journey. It began to rain pretty hard, 
and we took shelter in a house not far from the 
road. The man that owned the house seemed to 
be under the influence of whisky. One of our com- 
pany entered into a conversation with him, that was 
neither entertaining nor edifying. We thought we 
would rather ride in the rain, than to sit and hear 
foolish questions and silly answers. Then we rode 
on, traveling through a very broken country, with 
hills very high and steep — we had all to get down 
and walk, except brother Edge, who would ride up 
the steepest hill and down again, and did not seem 
to mind the life of the beast. M'Kendree said to 
him, " Benjamin, why don't you walk and rest your 
horse, like the rest of the boys ?" Benjamin replied, 
" 0, my horse is a horse of bottom." M'Kendree 
tried hard enough to improve him. Sometimes he 
would give him grave instruction, sometimes scold 



ARRIVAL AT A TAVERN. 183 

him mildly, sometimes lie would satirize him gently, 
but all in vain ; Benjamin would have his own way. 
David Young being a man of great wit, and a 
very pleasant companion, took delight in teazing 
Benjamin, who always had some answer ready, 
such as it was. 

This day we came to a fine spring tavern, the 
watering-place being well improved. The tavern 
stand looked rather inviting. The landlord came 
out and received us politely. M'Kendree returned 
the salutation in true Virginia style. We felt as 
though we were emerging into a civilized country. 
There were several gentlemen in the house, and we 
gathered from inquiries that they were members of 
the Baptist Church. There was a Baptist associa- 
tion then convening in west Tennessee, and they 
took us for Baptist ministers on our way to the 
association. One said to us, " Gentlemen, I suppose 
you are going to the association." Before M'Kendree 
had time to answer, brother Benjamin thundered 
out, "No, we don't care any thing about associa- 
tions." The company were surprised, and remained 
silent. I saw M'Kendree was offended, and cha- 
grined, but he could not help himself. David Young 
wanted to laugh, but he was a gentleman, and com- 
manded his risibles. M'Kendree entered into a 
pleasant conversation — we passed the time agreeably 
till breakfast was announced, and soon after we re- 
sumed our journey. 

We had not gone far, before M'Kendree asked, 



184 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

" Brother Edge, who told you I did not care any 
thing about associations?" He replied, "I don't 
care any thing about them, and I did not suppose 
you did." "Well," said M'Kendree, "you had a 
right to answer for yourself; but I want to know 
who authorized you to answer for the rest ?" Poor 
Ben ! M'Kendree gave him a very appropriate lec- 
ture — telling him how ministers ought to conduct 
themselves, especially among gentlemen belonging 
to other Christian denominations. Benjamin heard 
him patiently, but treated the whole with perfect 
indifference. 

On Saturday^ we came to the vicinity of a town 
called Cairo, on the Cumberland river. I was truly 
glad to see the river again. I had my partialities 
for that river and country. My favorite Wayne cir- 
cuit, that I formed the first year of my itinerancy, 
lay along this stream. 

We spent the Sabbath in this place. I tried to 
preach in the forenoon, on Romans v, 1 : " Therefore 
being justified by faith." David Young followed 
me. M'Kendree preached in the afternoon. Monday 
morning, amid much weeping, we took the parting 
hand. M'Kendree went toward Nashville, David 
Young toward Eddyville, and I to Xashville circuit. 

In the afternoon, I came to a very pleasant family, 
where I intended to spend three or four days. Here 
I examined the plan of my circuit, and put down 
several items in my journal. I was now among 
strangers, far from home, my mind very naturally 



RETROSPECT — THE INFIDEL. 185 

turned to my past history, of which I tried to take 
a close and partial review, so far as related to my 
itinerant life. 

I had now finished three regular conference years, 
and eight months, on Salt River circuit, under the 
direction of the presiding elder. But, 0, how far 
have I come short, in the discharge of my Christian 
and ministerial duties ! I have suffered much of my 
valuable time to go to waste ; spent too many hours 
in light conversation with the gay sons and daughters 
of folly. My spirit has not been right with God 
at all times. What is gone by I can not recall. 
I humbled myself under the mighty hand of God, 
repented of all my wrongs, and on my knees renewed 
my covenant, resolving, with God's help, to be a 
better man and better minister. 

This was in the month of October, 1806. I was 
now about thirty years of age. After I finished my 
meditations and studies, I went out of my room to 
visit the family. I was much interrupted by a rude 
old infidel, a brother-in-law to the gentleman at 
whose house I then was. He was ignorant, but 
being rich, he was very assuming. He began to 
throw out his infidelity at the tea-table. I felt it 
my duty to encounter him. He undertook to defend 
himself by referring to John Locke's Essays on the 
Human Understanding. I had just given Locke's 
Essays a faithful reading, and was enabled to discover 
that he had not read them at all. He was swamped, 
and became angry. Our combat lasted several hours. 



186 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

Next day I rode to Cage's ford, on the Cumberland 
liver, and put up with Lewis Crane. He was not 
only a good man. but superior to almost any one I 
ever saw in vital piety. Since reading the life of 
Carvosso I could not but compare Crane to that holy 
man. He was wealthy ■ but although in a slave state 
he would never own slaves. I shall never forget the 
quaint remark made by David Young, the first time 
he visited Crane and his familv. After having in- 

ft o 

spected the large farm, the cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, 
growing corn, fruit-trees, etc., he said, "Every thing 
on that farm looked as if it was converted/' Brother 
Crane had made a dedication of all he owned to his 
heavenly Father. His oldest son was converted when 
eight years old, and took the circuit in his sixteenth 
year. He had lived in the midst of a revival eight 
years before he started to preach. I have seen him 
stand on some eminence, before he was nine years 
old, with five or six thousand people round him, and 
exhort for two hours. He carried the spirit of revi- 
val wherever he went. His race, as an itinerant, was 
very short but successful. He turned many to right- 
eousness, and was a burning and shining light in the 
Church, and is, doubtless, a star in the kingdom of 
glory. Little John Crane lives in the memory of 
many in Tennessee and Kentucky. 

This was the largest field of labor assigned me by 
the Bishop, and I trembled under the responsibility. 
I found, by looking over the Minutes, that the mem- 
bership was very large, and the local preachers up- 



GREEN HILL. 187 

ward of forty — many of whom had been traveling 
preachers, and were men of splendid talents. First, 
John Page — the man who took me into the Church — 
Lewis Garret, Jonn Magee, Charles Leadbetter, and 
Green Hill, who was a man prominent above all the 
rest, and the remembrance of whom fills my soul with 
grief and joy at the same time. I shall make no 
further disclosures in this narrative. He was a man 
of great wealth, fine talents, a colonel in the Rev- 
olutionary war, and a very active statesman, in the 
zenith of his day. In the midst of his prosperity 
he became pious, devoted himself to the ministry, rose 
to considerable eminence, lived to be an old man, and, 
it may be truly said of him, he died the death of the 
righteous. He was a special friend of Bishop As- 
bury. He had a large family, sixteen in number, and 
all respectable ; but his daughter Sally was superior 
to all the rest. When I first saw her, she made me 
think of the Rose of Sharon, the lily of the valley. 
She soon faded and died of a broken heart. 

I was soon on my way round the circuit, warning 
the people publicly and from house to house. Not- 
withstanding the revival had been great, at this time 
it was rather on the wane. My colleague had not 
come, and I was working alone. I found the Presby- 
terian and Methodist Churches were closely united. 
They had taken many of our efficient class-leaders 
and made them elders in their Church, and their 
elders had been made class-leaders in the Methodist 
Church. I could not tel! who were Methodists and 



188 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

who Presbyterians. When I would close my sermon 
and dismiss the congregation very few would leave. 
It generally took me three hours to preach and meet 
class. I had very few rest-days on the whole circuit, 
which had about thirty appointments, and many extra. 
My labor was very hard; but God apportioned my 
strength according to my day. I would become so 
amazingly blessed that I would want to take wings 
and fly away to heaven. 

My colleague came on, but did not suit the people. 
The Bishop sent him away and employed Rev. John 
Craig, a local preacher. He was a pretty good 
preacher, a fine singer, and the Lord blessed his 
labors wonderfully. Our prospects now were about 
good enough to please any man who loved the Church; 
but the common enemy of the human kind, who was 
going " to and fro through the earth, and walking up 
and down in it" in Job's days, and "going about like 
a roaring lion," in the days of St. Paul, was still oper- 
ating in the world, and he did not entirely overlook 
west Tennessee. If he did not dwell there he made 
occasional visits. He never came to the wplaee or left 
without doing some mischief by his diabolical influ- 
ence. 

Jealousies began to operate in the Presbyterian 
synod of Kentucky. They began to think and say that 
the Presbyterians were all turning Methodists, and, 
indeed, it looked a good deal like it. They preached 
and prayed like Methodists; shouted and sung like 
Methodists. They had licensed several young men 



CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIANS. 189 

to preach who had not a collegiate education. They 
had formed circuits like the Methodists; had their 
saddle-bags and great-coats mailed on behind, sweep- 
ing through the country like itinerant evangelists. 
The Tennessee presbytery was a part and parcel of 
the Kentucky synod, and when the Kentuckians heard 
these things they sent a deputation of learned men 
to make a thorough examination, authorizing them, 
if they found that the people had departed from the 
doctrine and discipline of the Presbyterian Church 
and refused to return, to dissolve the presbytery. 

The committee came on and acted according to 
instructions. They ordered these licensed young men 
to desist from preaching. They refused. Several of 
the old theologians, such as Hodges, M'Grada, and 
others, became alarmed, submitted to the authority 
of the Church, and returned to their old paths. But 
the young men, with old Billy M'Gee at their head, 
held on their way. Some of them were superior men, 
such as James Porter, Thomas Cahoun; and they, 
after having spent two or three years, in trying to 
reconcile the Kentucky synod, and, having found it 
to be a forlorn hope, withdrew from the Presbyterian 
Church, and constituted a Church and congregation 
of their own, called the Cumberland Presbyterians. 
They soon extended their influence far and wide, and 
as a body they are a successful and holy people. 

About this time Methodism became very efficient 
throughout the great western valley. M'Kendree, 
with his coadjutors, were in Tennessee. Blackman, 



190 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

with his colleagues, in Mississippi and Louisiana. 
Burke, in Kentucky. Wilkinson, in East Tennessee 
and south-western Virginia. Sale, Collins, Lakin, 
and Parker, in Ohio. These were great and glorious 

davs. 

«/ 

Before the Cumberlands withdrew from the Pres- 
byterians, they began to show a little jealousy toward 
the Methodists ; they thought the Methodists were re- 
ceiving more than their share, and accused some of 
our people and preachers of breaking the terms of the 
union. But we moved on in harmony on Nashville 
circuit. I was exceedingly cautious to keep within 
the limits of the union, as they called it. I had wise 
counselors,' such as Green Hill, John Magee, John 
Page, Lewis Garret ; and, as they were scattered all 
around the circuit, I could find a counselor in every 
neighborhood. But, in the adjoining circuits there 
was a great deal of complaining. A preacher of 
great popularity was sent on to what was called Roar- 
ing River circuit, by the name of Miles Harper. He 
went on preaching and exercising discipline, as a 
Methodist preacher. They called upon him, and told 
him he was violating the terms of the union. He 
said, " He knew nothing about the terms of the union, 
they had no power to make rules to govern him — he 
was governed by the Bible and Methodist Discipline." 
One article of the union was, " We were not to preach 
on controverted points." Another — "We were not 
to proselyte." Harper paid no attention to their 
complaints, but went on preaching what he thought 



THE REJECTED PRESBYTERIAN. 191 

was Gospel, and admitting all into the Church who 
made application. 

We had a camp meeting in Douglas's settlement. 
M'Kendree and Harper were there, and three Pres- 
byterian preachers. They tried long and hard to 
settle the difficulty, but did not succeed. I found 
the Presbyterians began to be very sensitive. It 
devolved on me to keep order on the camp-ground. 
I came across a prominent man — a Presbyterian, 
standing among the women, contrary to rule. I re- 
quested him to go to the other side of the congrega- 
tion; he would not, but gave me very insolent lan- 
guage. I persevered till he went over. The next 
morning we held a love-feast, and I was door-keeper. 
When he came I would not admit him. He went 
back, and when M'Kendree came, he came behind 
him. M'Kendree said, "Let this brother in, I am 
acquainted with him." I replied, "lam acquainted 
with him too." 

Love-feast over, the Presbyterian preachers and the 
offender, complained to M'Kendree against Young, 
for violating the terms of the union, by keeping an 
acceptable member of their Church out of love-feast. 
M'Kendree was sitting as judge. I admitted the fact, 
then I assigned my reasons. He made his apology, 
" That I did not speak to him as one Christian ought 
to speak to another — that I commanded him in an 
authoritative tone of voice, which irritated him and 
threw him off his guard." I thought that he and his 
preachers began to quibble, and M'Kendree was 



192 FIFTT YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

rather inclined to favor them, which aroused my 
resentment. I said some very sharp things, and 
M'Kendree reproved me before them all. I went 
to the woods to weep and pray — came back to the 
tent and found M'Kendree alone. I indirectly called 
upon him for an investigation, according to rule. He 
told me he had done with it — gave me some fatherly 
advice — said he was sorry for the reproof he had 
given me, but that I had very tender feelings, and I 
ought to learn, from these facts, to treat other people 
tenderly. John Page, my spiritual father, was on 
the ground, he took me aside — told me "not to mind 
such little things, and to go on and do my duty faith- 
fully." With many other words he instructed and 
comforted me. 

Our camp meeting dragged heavily, till Monday 
evening, then the work broke out in the tents. Many 
were awakened, and, from that time till its close, we 
had an excellent meeting. I left this camp-ground 
under a state of great excitement. I resolved to 
read, think, and pray, and proceed independently. 
During this round on my circuit, I regulated the 
societies pretty much to my own mind. The people, 
both old and young, were easily governed. Our con- 
gregations were large. We were in great peace and 
harmony, and the Lord's work revived gloriously. 

My presiding elder went on like a primitive bishop. 
He reminded me of old " Athanasius." The district 
was very large, and a great part of it lay on the 
waters of Green and Big Barren rivers. These 



THE PRESIDING ELDER. 193 

barren lands were a good deal like our western 
prairies — and far colder than timbered lands. This 
winter was unusually severe, and his rides very long 
in the cold winds, of course he suffered much. One 
day he was on a long tour — the wind blowing right 
against him. He put up his hand to rub his cold 
face, and, his nose being frozen, the skin rubbed off 
in his hand. He was one of those thoughtful men, 
always ready for any emergency. He had court- 
plaster in his saddle-bags — he put a piece on the end 
of his nose, and traveled on. 

When he came round to my quarterly meeting, the 
weather was still very cold. Our meeting was in the 
frontier settlement, and was held in a little log meet- 
ing-house, the cracks of which being open, it was 
very uncomfortable. I was early at the place— had a 
large fire built in our old-fashioned fire-place, and 
every thing in order. I saw the elder coming. He 
made a very unusual appearance, which excited my 
curiosity. I went to meet him. He was covered 
with a fine large blanket, having a hole in the middle, 
bound around handsomely. It covered him com- 
pletely. I tied his horse, and he went into the little 
meeting-house, which he found very cold, notwith- 
standing my large fire. He, therefore, preached with 
his blanket on. The people continued coming. 
Many of them had never seen him, and they looked 
astonished, to see a man preaching with a blanket on. 
His text was, " Great peace have they that love Thy 

law, and nothing shall offend them." The text did 
17 



194 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERAXCY. 

not agree very well with his own feelings, for the men 
were nearly all -chewing tobacco, and spitting on the 
floor, which grieved his pure spirit, for he had a 
tender regard for the house of God. Although it 
■was a humble cabin, he could not bear to see it 
abused. He reproved them sharply — some appeared 
alarmed — some sorry, and others were angry; but 
we had a very good meeting. 

He went on from my circuit to brother Harper's. 
The Presbyterians still complained of Harper's break- 
ing the terms of the union. M'Kendree called a 
committee, and put Harper on his trial. When put 
to the test, they could not prove the charges. Har- 
per defended himself in a very masterly manner, and 
showed, in a satisfactory way, that the Presbyterian 
brethren were guilty of the very things they were 
charging against him. They had become loud and 
clamorous on the doctrine of the unconditional and 
final perseverance of the saints. This, they all knew, 
was a controverted point. Harper was acquitted, and 
came off triumphant. M'Kendree then attended a 
joint camp meeting at "Fountainhead." There he 
gave them the result of Harper's trial. The Presby- 
terians appeared satisfied and reconciled with Har- 
per, and wished to go on and perpetuate the union. 
M'Kendree raised a slight objection, which startled 
them. One of them said, "0, brother M'Kendree, 
we are satisfied now." M'Kendree replied, "But I 
am not satisfied with you, my brethren:" and took out 
a list of charges against several of their preachers, 



CHRISTIAN UNION. 195 

read it, and demanded satisfaction. They appeared 
much confused, and retired to hold a council. They 
soon returned a grave answer, saying "there is no 
rule in our discipline by which you can bring a min- 
ister to trial for such a charge." M'Kendree's reply 
was worthy of himself: "First, you preferred charges 
against one of our respectable preachers, not for vio- 
lating any rule in our Discipline, but for transgressing 
some of the articles of our union. I put him on his 
trial, and he was acquitted. Now, I demand the 
same thing of you." They appeared confounded, 
and did not know what to say, but gave him to under- 
stand that they could not receive his charges. He 
then told them that the Christian union, so much 
talked of, was not what it had been represented to him, 
that it was a mere farcical thing; and, after much 
Christian conversation, all concluded in a Christian 
spirit. The council adjourned, and every man went 
to his own home. 

M'Kendree now saw the necessity of having the 
Christian union better denned, that it might be more 
fully understood; that the privileges and duties flow- 
ing from this fountain of love, as it was called, might 
be reciprocal, and that the parties might stand on 
equal ground. In order to carry out this grand de- 
sign, he wrote a large circular, in which he gave a 
full exposition of this Christian union, illustrating 
every part, so that even children might understand, 
and sent a copy to every preacher within the bounds 
of his district, with instructions to read it in every 



196 FIFTY TEARS IK THE ITINERANCY. 

congregation. I read it faithfully in every congrega- 
tion on Nashville circuit. 

There was a good deal of squirming. Men would 
often come to me to get the document, and, after 
reading it, return it. I felt that the union was about 
to pass away. 

I now entered on my third quarter. Spring opened 
early ; the weather was fine. My health was excel- 
lent, and my spirits, in some degree, were suitable for 
the great work I was engaged in. I felt that I loved 
God with all my soul, mind, and strength. I loved 
the Church, and the holy work of the ministry. I 
preached almost every day, month after month, and 
seldom failed to meet class after preaching. The 
Lord was with us, and the Holy Spirit attended our 
labors of love. Sinners were awakened, mourners 
converted, and the saints shouted aloud for joy. Our 
congregations were unusually large — nearly as large 
on a week-day as on the Sabbath. I was hailed by 
the people wherever I went, and the Savior smiled 
upon me by day and by night. I thought, now I 
shall enjoy eternal rest. 

In a short time, we had another camp meeting on 
Liberty. I worked, one whole week, to put the 
ground in order. The pulpit, tents, and every thing 
were neat and comfortable. Our venerable elder ap- 
peared on Thursday or Friday, with a smiling counte- 
nance; and, though I had heard him preach many 
great sermons, he during that camp meeting excelled 
all that I had ever heard before from him. I yet 



VALEDICTORY. 197 

regard that meeting as one of the bright spots in my 
history. We had camp meeting after camp meeting 
during the summer, and the Lord added many souls 
to our ministry. 

The fourth quarterly meeting came on, and was the 
best we had had during the whole year. On Monday, 
I gave them my valedictory, and gave a parting hand 
to many of the best friends I have ever met with 
during my long life. 



198 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER XI. 

CHILLICOTHE C NFE REN CE — 180 7 . 

I started, with niy presiding elder, to conference, 
which was held, that year, in Chillicothe, Ohio. We 
traveled about one hundred miles, and stopped at a 
camp meeting on Wayne circuit, in what was then 
called the Green River country. I had formed this 
circuit about five years before. Here I had many 
spiritual children. They heard I was coming to their 
camp meeting, and they flocked from every part of 
the large circuit. We spent about a week on this 
camp-ground. Our elder seemed on the alert, and 
preached like an evangelist. He had a man with him 
by the name of Abbot Goddard, who was one of the 
best exhorters I ever heard. M'Kendree 'did the 
preaching and Abbot the exhorting. There ap- 
peared to be not much room for any one else; and, 
if there was a vacant place, David Young was there, 
in his best days, ready to mount the pulpit at a mo- 
ment's warning, and, with his clear, smooth, silvery 
voice, charm and perfectly astonish the congregation. 
I had little to do but sing, pray, and comfort mourn- 
ers. M'Kendree preached the closing sermon, which 
produced the most intense interest and excitement. 

"When we were about to start, poor Goddard could 



M'KENDREE — PREACHING — DRESS. 199 

not go. He had an attack of bilious fever the pre- 
vious night, and was not able to mount his horse. 
We left him shouting in his tent. When M'Kendree 
left the ground, a considerable part of the congrega- 
tion followed him. They overtook him in the prairie, 
and pulled him off his horse. He talked and cried, 
and they shouted around him for about an hour, be- 
fore they could part with him. 

We traveled far that afternoon, and in the evening 
put up at a friend's house. The people gathered in 
to hear M'Kendree preach. He was so tired that 
he could not stand. They sung a hymn ; he made 
a short prayer, preached a short sermon — sitting in 
a chair — dismissed the people, and went to bed. 

The next day we pursued our journey. David 
Young began to grow sick ; but the second night 
we reached Lexington, Kentucky ; staid with Mattox 
Fisher, held meeting, but had rather a cold time. 
Poor David was not able to travel — we had to go 
on and leave him. We left the city at an early 
hour. Our company was now reduced to three in 
number, M'Kendree, William Patterson, and myself. 
The presiding elder rode before, dressed in homespun 
cotton clothes from head to foot — he had on a broad- 
rimmed white hat. Patterson and myself followed. 
The morning was pleasant, Heaven smiled upon us 
as we went on our way rejoicing. 

We had not traveled far before we were overtaken 
by a Unitarian preacher, well dressed, and well 
mounted. He made quite a pompous appearance, 



200 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

as he rode by Patterson and myself to enter into 
conversation with M'Kendree. He began conver- 
sation by asking, " Are these gentlemen behind, 
clergymen ?" Yes, sir. " To what denomination of 
Christians do they belong ?" The Methodist, sir. 
" Ah, I do not like the Methodists." At this point 
he made a pretty long speech, which M'Kendree 
did not, in the least, interrupt. I suppose, because 
M'Kendree was plainly dressed, the stranger thought 
he was some ordinary old man; but he soon fonnd 
to his own mortification, that he was sadly mistaken. 
" And, first, you say you do not like the Methodists. 
Please, sir, tell me your objections." He began 
with the doctrines of Methodism. He soon found 
himself swamped, and was glad to give np that ob- 
jection. He then made an attack on the Discipline 
of the Church, which M'Kendree, in few words, 
defended in a very masterly manner. He was then 
driven to his last resort. u There are too many 
denominations dividing the Church, and distracting 
the mind." M'Kendree asked him to what denomin- 
ation he belonged. He answered, "I don't belong 
to any of them." M'Kendree replied, " It is a great 
pity, notwithstanding so many denominations, you 
are compelled to worship alone." He replied, " 0, sir, 
we have formed ourselves into an association ; we 
hold meetings, and administer sacrament." "So, then, 
although there are so many denominations, I perceive 
you have formed another." " Our plan is not to make 
proselytes." " Then," said M'Kendree, M you must 



JOURNEYING INCIDENTS. 201 

be the worst in the world, for, bad as you represent 
all the rest to be, they make proselytes, and if you 
make none, yours must be the worst of all." The 
poor man looked as if confounded. M'Kendree gave 
him some fatherly advice. He took it kindly, but 
when we came to the forks of the road, he bid 
us an affectionate farewell. 

Who can tell what a vast amount of good was 
done by that conversation ! M'Kendree had a wise 
head and a pure heart. I shall never look upon his 
like again. 

We went on our journey till we came to Rev. 
John Whittaker's, Bourbon county. M'Kendree 
appeared to be completely exhausted. This was 
the first time I ever saw him lie down and go to 
sleep in daylight. We had a comfortable night's 
rest, and felt our strength renewed. That day, we 
rode to Flemingsburg, Fleming county. There we 
found a camp meeting in full operation, and it was 
a great and glorious meeting. 

On Monday we rode to Maysville, and put up 
with the well-known John Armstrong. In this town 
we had a good revival of religion the year before; 
but I found the work greatly increased under the 
pious labors of brothers Parker and Sanford. 

Here we met a number of traveling preachers on 
their way to conference. I think we numbered about 
sixteen when we left Maysville. M'Kendree and 
Burke were our leaders, and we followed on in great 
peace and harmony. You will rarely find, in any 



202 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

community, a happier set of men. We loved our 
God, our work, and one another. Our leaders con- 
cluded the company was too large to travel together ; 
we could not all be well accommodated in any one 
place on that road ; so Burke went ahead with his 
company, and M'Kendree followed in the rear. About 
sundown we came in sight of a fine-looking public 
house. We concluded to stop. The ostlers took our 
horses. M'Kendree stepped to the door first, when, 
having heard a rough man swearing most horribly, 
he turned back and told the landlord he could not 
stop there — that we were a company of weary 
travelers, and wished to rest quietly. The landlord 
replied, " 0, sir, you shall not be interrupted ; we 
will keep that drunken man down." At this moment 
the drunken man came blundering out, cursing and 
swearing. M'Kendree called the boys to bring 
back the horses, and we went on our journey, and 
came to the house where Burke and his company 
put up. This was crowded, but they squared about, 
and made room for us. After a very fine supper, 
we had prayers, and much religious conversation, 
but before we retired to bed, on came the old drunk- 
ard, muttering along and staggering. The landlord 
met him at the gate, and shaking his fist at him, 
told him not to attempt to come in. He stood 
awhile, then took the road, and away he went. We 
supposed the landlord was angry with us, and drove 
him to our next stopping-place. We all retired, and 
the house became quiet. We slept, and rose long 



TIFFIN-CONFERENCE— ASBURY. 203 

before day, and rode eight or ten miles to breakfast. 
The old drunkard was there just before us. Some 
preachers there were getting up. As the old man 
came to the door, the landlord told him he could 
not receive him. The old drunkard became very- 
angry, and cursed and swore profanely. He said 
he feared he never should get clear of Methodist 
preachers. This was the third time he had been 
driven out of doors on their account. He took his 
departure, and we saw him no more. 

Burke and his company did not like to be left in 
the rear; so while we were having breakfast they 
rode by. M'Kendree soon mounted his noble horse, 
and in a short time we overtook and passed them. 
This day we got to Chillicothe and put up at Gov- 
ernor Tiffin's. We found Bishop Asbury in good 
health and spirits. I never saw him so pleasant — so 
full of life and animation as he was at that confer- 
ence. The Governor and his wife received us kindly, 
and we found his large house pretty well filled with 
Methodist preachers. The Governor, who had been 
recently elected to the United States senate, was in 
fine plight. 

The conference opened on Wednesday morning. 
Bishop Asbury read the Scriptures, prayed, gave us 
a lecture, and organized the conference. We all 
worked in harmony. Our field of labor had become 
very extensive, and called upon the Bishop for all his 
i resources to supply the work with suitable men. 
M'Kendree's term of service had expired on Nash- 



204 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ville district, and his place had to be supplied. Burke's 
time was out in Kentucky, Sailor's in Ohio, Jackson's 
in Holston, and Blackman's in the Mississippi; and 
although I was not a presiding elder, I was frequently 
called into the Bishop's council. 

While the conference was moving on in harmony, 
we had glorious times in the congregations. The 
Spirit was poured upon us from on high. This was 
the first conference ever held in Chillicothe, and, I 
believe, the first held in Ohio. Multitudes from the 
east, north, south, and west attended. Although our 
congregations were large, they were very peaceful. 
We had no disturbance till about the middle of the 
session, and that was brought on by a couple of 
preachers, who had a great deal more zeal than 
knowledge. They raised a rumpus with a young man 
by the name of Rector, from Rectortown, in Mary- 
land. He was a man of good standing, belonged to 
a Methodist family, though he was not a member of 
the Church himself. In the course of conversation 
they called him a "liar" several times. He told them 
he respected the house of God and would make no 
disturbance there, but would see them again to-mor- 
row on the street; so the affair closed and the con- 
gregation retired. Next day he met the traveling 
preacher on the street at an early hour, and true to 
the promise made the night before, knocked him down 
and gave him a good drubbing. He *hen went in 
search of the local preacher and found him in his 
bake-shop. The preacher had his coat off and his 



THE WHIPPED PREACHER. 205 

sleeves rolled up, and was just putting his bread into 
the oven. Rector stepped up with a cowhide, tore 
off the shirt from his back, and whipped him severely. 
It raised a great commotion through the town. The 
people took it in high dudgeon, declaring that Rector 
ought to be punished. Conference met at the usual 
hour. There sat the whipped preacher, his mouth 
and nose bleeding, and his clothes dirty. He looked 
as if he had been in the gutter. His sorrowful ap- 
pearance excited the sympathies of his brethren, and 
they were for prosecuting Rector without further 
delay. I believe Bishop Asbury was in favor of 
the prosecution. Dr. Tiffin asked to come in and 
plead Rector's cause. He was well acquainted with 
Rector and both of the preachers. He told us that 
Rector was a high-minded young man and had no 
religion, and would not brook an insult from any 
body; and as they began with him, he thought they 
got no more than they deserved ; he hoped they 
would profit by it, and he advised the conference to 
let it pass and say no more about it. 

Bishop Asbury paid me unusual attention during 
this conference, taking me in his arms, stroking my 
head, asking me many questions, and giving me im- 
portant information on many subjects. M'Kendree 
never was so kind before. I could not tell what had 
caused the change in these great and good men. One 
evening, just before the conference closed, the Bishop 
took me into a small room alone, and read to me 
Jacob's travels from his father's house to Padan-aram. 



206 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

When he came to that place where Jacob stopped to 
rest for the night, and took a stone for his pillow, 
and laid him down to sleep — after a long pause, dur- 
ing which he appeared to be very much engaged in 
prayer, he asked me how I thought Jacob felt when 
he laid him down in that lonely place. I told him I 
supposed he felt very serious. "Yes," he replied, 
"serious enough." Then he got up, laid his hands 
upon my head, and said, " Jacob, you must go to 
Natchez and take charge of that district." I be- 
gan to beg off. He told me in a few words to go in 
the name of the Lord and do my duty, and that God 
would be with me. He turned and walked out of the 
room and left me alone, saying no more to me till 
conference adjourned. The next day he closed the 
conference and read the appointments. Coming to 
the last district, he read, " Mississippi district — Jacob 
Young, presiding elder." The preachers looked sur- 
prised. He read on — Natchez circuit, Anthony Hous- 
ton; Bayou Pier circuit, Richard Browning; Bayou 
Sarah, John Traverse ; Catahoolah and Washita, James 
Axley; Anmeat, Jedediah M'Mean. He closed the 
conference with the benediction, and we all left. I 
gave notice to the preachers going with me that we 
would rendezvous at Cage's Bend, on Cumberland 
river, Tennessee. 



REVIEW — MISTAKE. 207 



CHAPTER XII. 

JOURNEY TO MISSISSIPPI — 1807. 

■I AM now on my way to a new field of labor, A. D. 
1807. I tremble under a deep sense of the respon- 
sibilities that rest upon me. I am sure that, unless I 
am assisted by the special influences of the Holy 
Ghost, I shall dishonor the appointment. My last 
year's labor was a year of both toil and prosperity. 
I averaged near thirty sermons per month throughout 
the conference year; held many class meetings and 
prayer meetings; visited a vast number of families 
and tried to train them in the ways of religion and 
truth. I saw many precious souls converted and 
brought into the Church of Christ. I read a great 
many books, and endeavored to make general reading 
supply the place of education. I endeavored to abide 
continually in the secret place of the Most High, that 
I might dwell under the shadow of the Almighty. 

Yet, notwithstanding all my prayers and watchful- 
ness, I made one serious mistake ; and, though fifty 
years have rolled away, since that transaction took 
place, it still occasions me some regret and deep sor- 
row. I intended nothing wrong. I thought my eye 
was single to the glory of God in the whole affair, 
but I was sadly mistaken. Men are not always doiug 



208 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

right when they think they are. This blunder caused 
me to weep sore, on the mountains and in the valleys. 
Suffice it to say I obtained pardon of my good Maker. 
He healed the breach as far as mortals are concerned. 
I record this fact as a solemn warning and admoni- 
tion to all young men who may read this page. 

M'Kendree and myself traveled together from Chil- 
licothe to Dr. Hynes's, in Clarke county, Kentucky. 
I suffered greatly, with dysentery and cholic, on the 
way, but my venerable friend being a pretty good 
physician, I was brought through safe, and spent 
several days with him at Dr. Hynes's. He wrote me 
a code of by-laws, for the government of quarterly 
conferences. After interchanging ideas and receiv- 
ing much instruction for several days, the time of our 
departure came on. He kneeled down, about one 
o'clock in the afternoon, and commended me to God 
by solemn prayer. Dr. Hynes shouted aloud — his 
pious lady praised the Lord — the pious Martha wept 
bitterly. My fine Arabian horse being brought to 
the gate, I took my saddle-bags on my arm, and gave 
my friends the parting hand. Martha followed to the 
gate, and gave me a vest pattern and a silver dollar. 
I mounted my stately beast and rode away — traveling 
nearly two hundred miles alone. I had much time 
for reflection, and I tried to improve my solitary 
hours to the best advantage. I could say, in the lan- 
guage of Daniel Webster, "The most serious thought 
that entered my mind was my responsibility to God." 
The vows of the Almighty were upon me. My field 



JOURNEY IN THE WILDERNESS. 209 

of labor was large — in a strange country — far from 
home. I was just entering upon a new sphere of 
action — a presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, called to fill the place of one of the itinerant 
evangelists. 

In due time I came to the place of rendezvous. 
The preachers met according to appointment, and we 
spent two or three days making preparations to pass 
through the wilderness, from Nashville to Natchez, 
which was then considered a dangerous road — often 
infested by robbers. We bought a pack-horse and 
saddle, and other things necessary for a long journey. 
Here we held a three days' meeting, which was at- 
tended with much good. From this place we rode to 
Liberty Hill, between Nashville and Franklin, where 
we met with James Ward, presiding elder of the dis- 
trict, and Joseph Oglesby, circuit preacher in charge. 
Here we had an excellent camp meeting. We then 
rode to the town of Franklin — put up with Major 
Murry, and the Rev. Lewis Garret, where we laid 
in our stores for the above-named wilderness — ground 
coffee— parched-corn ground fine on coffee-mill, and 
mixed with sugar — beef's tongues — sea-biscuit, and 
every thing else necessary for our comfort. The first 
day we rode about thirty miles. About sundown we 
halted, and tied our horses to the trees. One of our 
company being still behind, came up while we were 
cooking supper. We had our camp-kettle — large 
coffee-pot — britannia tumblers — some spoons — every 

man had his own knife, and we made wooden forks. 

18 



210 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

We had a good supper. M'Kendree had made me a 
present of his large tent, which was made of a pecul- 
iar kind of linen, but would turn rain pretty nearly 
as well as a shingled-roof. Nine men could sleep 
under it without inconvenience. We pitched under 
the shade of the trees — said our prayers, and went to 
sleep. All woke up with fine health and spirits — fed 
our horses — took breakfast, and traveled forty miles, 
which brought us to the Tennessee river, at Colbert's 
ferry. We called for the ferry-boat, and they an- 
swered that they could not cross that night, but would 
bring us over in the morning. We camped near the 
bank of the river — fed our horses — put on a couple 
of bells, and turned them out in the cane-brake. We 
had our religious exercise after supper, and went to 
bed. I awoke, as usual, long before day, and found 
my horse standing near the tent, but could hear noth- 
ing of the rest. I grew uneasy, arose, put on my 
clothes, started down the river, to the cane-brake, 
and met our pack-horse coming up the Indian trail, 
by himself. I knew there was something wrong — 
went to the tent and gave the alarm — roused them all 
up. While preparing breakfast we looked round and 
found another horse. Then we had three, and four 
were missing. [[ As soon as daylight appeared, An- 
thony Houston and myself mounted our horses, and 
pursued the runaways. We soon reached the road, 
and started right back toward Nashville. They ap- 
peared to be traveling very fast. We met two men 
who said they had seen them going pretty rapidly. 



HORSES RECOVERED. 211 

We followed them about twenty miles, then, to our 
disappointment, they left the road and went into the 
woods. They soon reached the high pine ridges 
where the ground was so hard that we could not well 
see their tracks. We were then in a vast, unsettled 
country, and fearing we should lose ourselves and 
perish in the wilderness, we concluded to give up the 
chase, and' £nd our way back to the road. I felt 
very unpleasant, not knowing what to do, and thought 
of going back seventy miles to get more horses. 
Then I recollected we had no money to pay for 
them. ? 

We were riding on the top of a high ridge, re- 
flecting on Divine providence, and trying to pray. 
Thoughtfully I looked over my right shoulder toward 
a lofty summit on another pine ridge, and saw one 
of our horses rise up and stretch himself. We turned 
our horses and rode across the ravine, between the 
two ridges, and to our great comfort we found all 
four of our horses close together. We had ropes in 
our pockets, and tying them round onr horses' necks 
each man led two and rode one. We were soon in 
the road. Some time in the night we came back to 
our camp, tied the horses to some trees, and cut loads 
of green cane and gave them to eat during the night. ; 

The river was very wide here, and the ferryman 
moved slow, and had to make two trips. It was 
nearly dark when we all got over. We camped on 
the bottom-land of the river, and went to see Colonel 
George Colbert. He was a half-breed Indian. His 



212 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

father was a Scotchman, and his mother a full- 
blooded Indian. He was a very shrewd, talented 
man, and withal very wicked. He had two wives. 
They were Cherokees, daughters of the famous chief 
Doublehead. Colonel George was a Chickasaw. 
(J He and his brother had a large farm and about 
forty negroes working. We bought some corn, 
pumpkins, and corn-blades, for which he charged us 
a very high price. We sat down and had a social 
chat, and were considerably entertained with his 
shrewdness and witticism. He inquired where we 
were going. We told him to Natchez. He then 
inquired our business. We told him we were going 
to preach. He laughed heartily. "Ah," said he, 
"Natchez people great for preach, but they be poor, 
lazy, thieving, bad people." We defended our cause 
as much as we thought necessary. He then asked 
where we were from. We told him from Kentucky. 
" Kentuckian bad people, and white man worse than 
Indian every-where, though they have much preach 
and learn much. Indians never know how to steal 
till white man learn them — never get drunk or swear 
till white man learn them. We don't want any 
preaching in this country. We are free, and we 
intend to keep so." We bade him good night, and 
went to our tent. As we were now over the river, we 
thought our horses would not run away again, as they 
would have to swim the river. So putting a bell on 
one, hobbling another, and turning them all out to the 
cane-brake, we went into our tent and laid ourselves 



HORSES LOST AND FOUND. 213 

down to sleep. I rose before day, and listened. 
Went out and found the hobbled horse by himself. 
I walked along the hill-side, and found by their tracks 
where they had gone galloping up the hill. I went 
to Colbert and told him our horses were gone again. 
"Well," said he, "go hunt them. If you can't find 
'em, I find for you." 

I had not run far till I saw a big Indian, rising 
from a big log where he had been sleeping all night 
with his blankets on his shoulders. I asked him if 
he saw any horses that way. "Yes," counting his 
fingers, showing how many — making motions with 
his hands to show they were trotting, pointing to his 
neck, describing the bells, and then said, "Kun on, 
you get 'em." I had not gone far before we heard 
the bells. My horse came right up to me. I mounted 
him without a bridle and rode him down to the camp, 
the other horses following in train. 1 ' We prepared for 
our journey in short order. That day we traveled 
through the Chickasaw nation. I We passed many a 
wigwam, and almost every Indian we passed had 
something to sell, especially hickory-nuts, walnuts, 
hazel-nuts. They had cracked their nuts and had 
the kernels handsomely packed in little Indian bowls. 
The women would run out partly naked, and hold up 
their little bowls, and cry out, "bit." We bought 
freely just to humor them, and when we met the 
men on the highway, they would make very hand- 
some bows, and say, "We Chickasaw, we friend 
white man, give me two bits." We generally gave 



214 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

them some change to get rid of them, and then went 
on our way. 

This day we reached the old Chickasaw town, and 
put up for the night with a white man by the name 
of Allen, and though he had been brought up among 
the Indians, we found him to be a real gentleman. 
Although his wife was called a squaw, and had all 
the rights of an Indian woman, she was only eighth 
part Indian. She had a fair skin, a fine figure, and 
good manners. He received us as the Lord's mes- 
sengers, and I believe if I could have tarried in that 
place, I could have founded a mission there. But 
we found him under a great terror of mind. He had 
a quarrel with Colonel G. Colbert, who had ordered 
him to leave the nation, and threatened his life if he 
did not; and as Colbert was a tyrant, and in the habit 
of killing men, Allen apprehended that he was in im-. 
minent danger of losing his life. But as his family 
and living were there, he determined not to be driven 
away, but to stay and defend himself. "V\ T e gave him 
and his family all the instruction we could, prayed 
with and for them, and left them in the hands of 
their faithful Creator and kind preserver. W 

The next day, we entered the Choctaw nation, and 
found them very inferior to the Chickasaws. This 
was before they had been visited by the missionaries. 
They were addicted to drunkenness, and were lazy 
and dirty. Here and there we met with a degraded 
white man among them. We bought of them "corn, 
at two dollars per bushel; corn-blades at a bit per 



ARRIVAL IN MISSISSIPPI. 215 

bundle; and pumpkins, at a quarter of a dollar a 
piece. They would visit our camp at night in great 
numbers. We would sometimes give them bread and 
cheese, and treat them kindly, and they promptly re- 
ciprocated every kind act. 

Near the line that divided the Choctaw nation from ' 
the Mississippi territory, stood a fine public house, v 
kept by a gentleman by the name of Bishiers. Al- 
though he had an Indian woman for a wife, he was 
himself a gentleman. He had a good many colored 
people, and appeared to be a man of considerable 
weaHh. He treated us very well, but knew how to^ 
make a high bill. j That night, we pitched our tents 
within the limits of the Mississippi territory, the 
place of our destination. We were eleven days on 
our journey from Nashville to this place. We fed 
our tired horses, took our own suppers, and then sur- 
rounded a good fire and returned God thanks for pre- 
serving our lives, our limbs, and our animals, on our 
long and tedious journey. I suppose we felt like 
St. Paul, when he came to the Appii-forum and the 
Three Taverns. We had a good night's rest. The 
next morning we started, in fine health and spirits, 
toward the city of Natchez, and crossed the Bayou 
Pier, at the Grind Stone ford. There we saw Col. 
Burnet and his talented wife. We only halted for a 
moment, and then went on our journey. 

About 12 o'clock, we arrived, in peace and safety, 
at Fort Gibson* 



1216 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY, 



CHAPTER XIII. 

MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT— 1807-8. 

^As we had been in the habit of pitching our tent, 
we did not go to a public house, but spread our tent 
on the commons, fed our tired horses on the ground, 
and began to prepare our dinner. As court was in 
session, there were very many people in the town. 
They noticed the travelers spreading their tents on 
the ground of the commons, and, from our appear- 
ance, concluded we were missionaries. They came 
out to see us, and some of the brethren were with 
them. After some conversation, they said, " They had 
been looking, for several days, for the preachers from 
conference." We told them, very promptly, that we 
were the very men they were looking for, and that 
we were now ready to serve them as ministers of the 
Gospel. They received us joyfully, and some of 
them went into the town, and brought us bread and 
cakes, small beer, and many other good things, that 
we ate and drank together. 

In the afternoon, we rode to brother Randall Gib- 
son's, a cousin to Tobias Gibson, the first Methodist 
missionary that ever visited that territory. Here we 
met my predecessors on the district, Rev. Learner 
Blackman, Rev. Elisha W. Bowman, and Rev. Thos. 



THE BAND OF PREACHERS. 217 

Lesley. These were all the Methodist preachers then 
in the territory. 

m This was among the most interesting days of my 
life. The preachers about leaving the country had a 
deep interest in the work they had been engaged in. 
They were anxious to know what kind of men were 
going to succeed them, and, of course, we had to pass 
a close examination. Brother Gibson himself was far 
above ordinary men. Other neighbors coming in, all 
united with the preachers in catechising. I felt that 
I was going through a fiery ordeal. Brother M'Mean 
was a very young man, quite timid, had but little to 
say, and they said but little to him. Brother Trav- 
erse was not interesting in his appearance, and they 
paid him but little attention. Brother Browning was 
a pleasant man, prepossessing in his appearance, but 
was a man of small intellect and little information. 
Anthony Houston was a man slow of speech, but of 
a powerful intellect, and a mind well stored with use- 
ful learning. He could answer all their questions, 
and propound questions that were not so easy to 
answer. They soon became satisfied that he was just 
such a man as they wanted. 

But James Axley was the superior man of our 
company. Although he was brought up in the wil- 
derness, the God of nature had endowed him with 
many excellent gifts. He was a workman that 
needed not to be ashamed. He knew well how to 
divide the word of God, and give every man his por- 
tion in due season. In the evening, we had an intel- 

19 



218 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

lectual feast, and, also, a temporal feast. We retired 
to rest at a late hour of the night, I believe, all 
happy and satisfied. 

Next morning, our predecessors began to prepare 
to leave the territory. Blackman presented me with 
a plan of the district, and the preachers the plan of 
their several circuits. Next morning, we took the 
parting hand, and every man moved off to his own 
field of labor. I spent a couple of weeks in that 
neighborhood, visiting from house to house, preaching 
and holding prayer meetings. Most of the time, 
Blackman went with me. He had appointed a two 
days' meeting on one of the tributaries of Big Black 
river. Here we met Bowman and Lesley. The 
meeting continued three days. I believe I had all 
the preaching to do. 

On Tuesday morning, Bowman and Lesley started 
for Nashville. We shed many tears in parting, fear- 
ing that we should never meet again. 

Blackman and I turned our faces toward the south, 
and as I was unacquainted with the manners and 
customs of the people, it was thought best for him 
to stay with me a couple of months and give me 
an introduction. We were together several days, 
holding many night meetings, and trying to build 
the people up in the faith of the Gospel. Blackman 
was highly esteemed in that country, and deservedly 
so, for he had done more for the religious welfare 
of the people, than all who had gone before him. 
Though he had been preceded by good men, they 



ELDER BLACKMAN. 219 

had done comparatively but little. I say not this 
by way of reflection, for I believe they had done as 
well as any one could under the circumstances. They 
had *to grapple with many difficulties, which were 
removed out of the way before Blackman came to 
the country. He was a man of extraordinary natural 
and moral courage. Of him, it might be said, m 
truth, as the Rev. William Cravens, from Virginia, 
once said, " The fear of man never once entered into 
his experience." He feared no danger, dreaded not 
the tongue of slander, while he was doing and suffer- 
ing for the glory of God. Whatever he thought 
ought to be done, he thought could be done ; and, 
like General Jackson, he accomplished every thing he 
undertook. His labors and success in that country 
give lucid proof that he was no ordinary man. Like 
St. Paul, he became all things to all men, that he 
might gain some, and by so doing he gained very 
many. He was a very genteel man, of fine person, 
of refined manners, and mind well stored with general 
knowledge. When it became necessary, he could 
mingle with the first class, and conduct his part of 
the conversation in the most dignified and exalted 
manner. He was perfectly at home among the 
middle class, he never neglected the poor, he loved 
both the slave and the slaveholder, and in return 
was honored and loved by them both. His industry 
and activity exceeded those of all the ministers who 
went before him to that country, and, as far as I have 
been informed, he has not been excelled by any 



220 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

who have followed him. In the space of four short 
years he explored almost every part of the Missis- 
sippi territory, forming Churches, organizing circuits, 
and preparing places for the people to worship. ' He 
went into west Florida, and often visited New Orleans. 
I found it hard work to follow him. His praise was 
not only in all the Churches, hut in all the families 
of any respectability throughout the three territories, 
as far as I have been informed. I have had a close 
acquaintance with many Methodist preachers, and 
truth binds me to say, although I have known greater, 
I know not that I ever knew a better man. He was 
truly a wise man, turning many to righteousness ; 
and according to the prediction of Daniel, he will 
not only shine like the brightness of the firmament, 
but as the stars forever and ever. I loved him in 
life, I love his memory still, and expect to love him 
in paradise. 

I will give one proof of both the caution and the 
courage of this good man. We were compelled to 
travel one dark and dreary night for the want of 
some place to stay. There had been a heavy fall 
of rain the night before. We had to cross a small 
river, called the Homochitte, before we could get any 
place to lodge, and it was too cold and damp to lodge 
in the woods; so we rode on and came to the river 
late in the night. He proposed crossing, although 
he could not see or tell how high it was. I had 
very little fear of following him, for I was in the 
habit of swimming my horse, and felt nearly as safe 



FORDING AND TRAVELING. 221 

on his back in the water, as on land ; and I was a 
practical swimmer. 

I knew nothing of the qualifications of his horse 
for such an undertaking, nor of his own skill in 
swimming, but I came to the conclusion if he went 
in, I should follow. He alighted from his horse, tied 
a pair of garters tight round the tops of his boots, 
to keep the water from running in, and, committing 
himself, as I suppose, to the care of his heavenly 
Father, mounted his horse and plunged into the 
stream. In a few minutes we found ourselves safely 
landed on the other side, and by the good providence 
of God, found a comfortable dwelling-place for the 
night. 

The next morning we rose early, in good health, 
and spent some time in prayer to our kind Preserver. 
The family gave us a good breakfast ; we prayed for 
them, left our blessing, and pursued our journey. 

That day we passed through a very delightful 
country. The green bay-trees, and extensive cane- 
brakes, afforded us much entertainment, while travel- 
ing in a strange land. 

In the evening we stopped at a small village, right 
on the line of demarkation between the territory of 
the United States and the Spanish dominions, called 
Pinkneyville, after the great statesman, Pinkney. 
There we held a quarterly meeting, and had a time 
of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. While 
we labored together, visiting that part of our field 
of labor, we became more and more united. Next 



222 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

week we returned to Natchez, and held a quarterly 
meeting on what was called Jersey settlement. Here 
I became acquainted with the Kings, Swayzes, and 
Corys, who were warm friends of mine while I re- 
mained in the country. I went on to Natchez and 
held a meeting. Here I formed an acquaintance 
with a number of gentlemen who belonged to the 
first class in that city. They were a great benefit 
to me as long as I remained there. Next day I 
visited Washington, the capital of the territory, 
putting up with Esquire Tooley. He was a man of 
great wealth, far advanced in life, and appeared 
to be very pious, although he was a slaveholder. 
Blackman left me several days before. I spent 
three days with this gentleman, reading, and writing 
out my journal. The third day, in the evening, 
Blackman came to me again. We rode to Sulster's 
town. I preached, and visited a number of families. 
The next day we rode to the Rev. Lewis Yicks — a 
local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church — 
a man of talents and considerable wealth — and 
having a fine family. Here we spent two or three 
days in preparing for our final separation. With 
this pleasant family I left my traveling companion, 
and set off for Catahoolah alone. When I arrived at 
the Mississippi river, it was so rough that the ferry- 
man was afraid to cross, so that I was detained there 
about half a day, under the hill at Natchez. 

I had often been among rough people, and had seen 
and heard a great deal of wickedness, but what I saw 



TRAVELS— A SURPRISE. 223 

and heard there surpassed any thing I had ever seen 
or thought of. Americans, French, Spaniards, Eng- 
lish, Irish, Dutch, negroes, and mulattoes — all ming- 
ling as "fellows well met." Many Kentuckians were 
lying in their flat-boats, along the wharf, drinking, 
fighting, swearing, and acting like demons. I had 
often heard of Natchez under the hill ; but never saw 
it before, and I thought I should be glad never to see it 
again. ;] Just before sundown, I made my escape, and 
crossed the Mississippi river. I found a place to stay 
all night. I had a miserable swamp to pass, forty- 
five miles wide, to the Catahoolah lake. Early in the 
morning, I was on the road along the pleasant bank 
of the Mississippi, but presently had to change my 
course, and go into the swamp. I was informed that 
I would have to pass many cypress swamps before I 
could get through, and that it was a land of alli- 
gators. 

I felt lonely, fearful, and gloomy. I had not gone 
more than ten miles, till I saw a man riding before 
me. He made a very dismal appearance, having an 
old, ragged, drab-colored coat, a shabby-looking wool 
hat, and a poor horse, which traveled very slow. 
I thought to myself, I am glad to see you any how ; 
poor company is better than none. I rode on, and 
soon overtook him; but, by the way he sat on his 
horse, I perceived he was a sick man. His head was 
hanging down, and I could not see his face. I spoke 
friendly to him, and he lifted up his head, and lo 
and behold ! lawyer Stephen Wilson, of Parkersburg, 



224 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Virginia, whom I had known in better days. He ex- 
claimed, "Why, Mr. Young, is that you?" I an- 
swered, "Why, Mr. Wilson, is that you?" He was 
exceedingly glad to see me. He had just been shak- 
ing with ague, and was now contending with a high 
fever. He inquired where I was going. I replied, 
to Catahoolah. He was going there also; and it was 
agreed that we should go together, and help each 
other on the way. We traveled slowly along, some- 
times through cypress swamps, and would occasion- 
ally get upon higher ground, and now and then pass 
lonely cane-brakes. 

Wilson manifested great anxiety to know what I 
could be doing in that desolate country. I told him 
I was doing just what I was in Parkersburg, preach- 
ing the Gospel to sinners. I knew he was an infidel, 
but he had always been a warm friend of mine. He 
was in good circumstances, and married into a good 
family. I was surprised to find him in that foreign 
land, under such unfavorable circumstances. I soon 
found that he had left home in company with Aaron 
Burr and Blannerhasset, and, when the enterprise 
failed, he was ashamed to go home. He went to 
Catahoolah, and was engaged in building a mill. His 
health had failed, and, I suppose, he had run out of 
money. As he rode on, he appeared to get roused 
up, talking about old affairs. In the evening, we 
came to a little log cabin in the middle of a cane- 
brake, just on the bank of a deep bayou. The land- 
lord had laid two cypress canoes across the bayou, 



THE ROUGH LANDLORD. 225 

and had pinned cypress puncheons on the canoes, to 
make a bridge. We led our horses across, it being 
only about twenty feet wide. The landlord's name 
was Lee. Being asked if we could stay all night, he 
answered in the affirmative. We gave our horses 
some corn, and tied them up in a cane-brake. 

I soon found that the landlord was a hard case, and 
had a dirty-looking wife. I abhorred the idea of 
staying till morning, but could do no better. She 
prepared for us a pretty good supper, and we chatted 
till a late hour in the night. He was an infidel, and 
a very wicked old man. I proposed having prayers; 
he granted me the privilege, but, when I began to 
sing, slipped out of the back door, and ran off till I 
was done. We had no bed but cypress puncheons. 
We covered ourselves with our great-coats, and passed 
the night in the best manner we could. 

I roused the landlord early, to go and bring our 
horses. He soon came back, swearing and curs- 
ing — saying the horses had broken loose, and run 
away. I thought, from his guilty look, that he had 
turned them loose, intending to make us pay him a 
large fee to find them. I said not one word, but put 
off into the cane-brake, and, after running about a 
quarter of a mile, I heard my horse eating cane. I 
called him, he came to me, and Wilson's horse fol- 
lowed. We fed the horses, ate a little breakfast, paid 
a large bill, and put off. 

This day, we came to the house of Captain Bowie, 
the father, I believe, of the man that invented the 



226 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

famous Bowie-knife. Mrs. Bowie was a pious Meth- 
odist lady. The old Captain was a benevolent man, 
but a desperate sinner. Here I met my beloved 
brother Axley, where we were to hold our first quar- 
terly meeting for the current year. The Captain 
gave us the privilege to hold our meeting in his large 
log-house. I had taken a violent cold in coming 
through the swamp, and was bleeding at the nose. 
Some of them thought I would bleed to death; but 
I became better. We held our meeting, preaching 
alternately, day and night, for nearly one week. The 
congregations were large, and, I believe, some good 
was done. 

Here I fell in with a lawyer Hughes, from Ken- 
tucky. He was a fine lawyer, but the court had be- 
come prejudiced against him, and he was out of busi- 
ness, out of money, and in need of clothes to make 
him comfortable. His feet were entirely bare. 

I spent two Sabbath days in this place, much to 
my own satisfaction, and, as far as I could judge, to 
the gratification and edification of all the people. 
On Monday I set out for Washita post. I had to 
pass a wilderness of a hundred miles, without seeing 
a house. I started early in the morning, and, my 
fine Arabian horse being in good plight, I soon 
cleared the cane country, and came to high pine 
ridges. As I had no road but an Indian trail, and 
the ground being hard, I was much puzzled to keep 
the track. I was now in the land of tigers, as they 
called them, but I called them panthers ; and the re- 



TROUBLES IN THE WILDERNESS. 227 

gion was infested with wolves. I did not know but 
roy life would be in danger, if I should have to sleep 
in the woods alone, which made me very anxious to 
reach a settlement before I lay down to sleep. I 
started with the intention of traveling a hundred 
miles that day. About 12 o'clock, I lost my road, 
and, for the life of me, could not find it again. I 
wandered east and west till I became weary. I then 
alighted from my horse by a large pine tree. I had 
in my post-bags twelve ears of corn, two boiled hens, 
and five or six corn-dodgers. I fed my horse, ate 
my dinner, and turned back again. About 9 o'clock 
at night, I came within three miles of the place from 
where I started in the morning, at a Colonel Tennel's. 
The family received me gladly. After some refresh- 
ments, I retired to sleep. The next morning, my 
horse was so stiff that he could hardly walk, for I 
had rode him seventy-five miles, the day before. 

The next day, I went to Captain Bowie's, and met 
again my good friend, brother Axley, who concluded 
to go with me through this terrible wilderness. I 
rested my horse three days, rubbed his joints, fed 
him well, and then started again, in company with 
brother Axley. He had been a great hunter, an ex- 
perienced woodsman, and he entertained no doubt 
that he could find the way through. It turned out 
to be a very rainy day. We rode till about 12 
o'clock, then got down under the shade of a pine-tree, 
'fed our horses, ate our cold dinner, lifted our hearts 
to our faithful Preserver in prayer, and then rode on. 



228 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

I observed, as brother Axley rode along, that when- 
ever he could see a bit of dry rotten wood on a tree, 
he would pick it off and put it in his pocket. I did 
not know what he intended to do with it, and did not 
ask him. We rode on, sometimes singing and some- 
times praying. Occasionally, one of us would preach 
a sermon, and the other criticise. At length, night- 
fall began to come on, and we were in a vast howling 
wilderness. We left the Indian trail, and rode several 
hundred yards down a deep ravine, and stopped where 
there was an abundance of cane. Axley said he 
would tie the horses and kindle a fire, if I would 
go in search of water. 

I took my camp -kettle in my hand and went on till 
I found a running stream, from which, having filled 
my kettle, I went back to the camp. Axley had tied 
the horses, and with his big jack-knife had cut a large 
quantity of cane to last them through the night. 
Taking his flint, and steel, and spunk out of his 
pocket, he struck fire and applied it to his dry, rotten 
wood that he had gathered through the day, and soon 
had a blaze. We stopped where there was many pine- 
knots and rich pine limbs. He. threw them on the 
fire till he had a kind of log-heap ; the blaze was soon 
ten or twelve feet high. We made some strong cof- 
fee, very sweet w r ith sugar, warmed our cold meat and 
bread, and spread a blanket on the ground which an- 
swered for table and table-cloth. Brother Axley 
asked a blessing, and we ate our supper with fine 
appetite. 



DISCOURAGEMENTS. 229 

Then we sat down and talked for hours upon the 
prospects of our mission, and concluded they were 
gloomy enough to discourage any man. We had to 
contend with ignorance in the lower classes, and infi- 
delity in the upper. Romanism had flooded parts of 
the country, and its disciples were our deadly ene- 
mies. There were many other things too tedious to 
mention ; but we had undertaken the task in the name 
of the Lord, and were resolved to carry it out or lose 
our lives in the attempt. By this time the ground 
had become dry around our fire, we spread cane on 
the ground, laid down our great-coats and blankets 
for our bed, and our saddle-bags for our pillow. On 
them we reposed our weary bodies and fell asleep. 

We did not wake till after sunrise in the morning. 
The sky was clear and serene. We left our pleasant 
camp in short order, and soon reached a Spanish 
village on the Washita river. We could not talk 
Spanish, and they could not talk English. We could 
travel no further unless we had some one to give us 
directions. They could say post and league, that was 
all we could understand. 

There was an old Indian chief, dressed in heathen- 
ish style, who said nothing till the Spaniards had done 
talking and we had turned away from them. He then 
stepped out into the road, held up his hand, and 
pointed the course we were to take. By the motion 
of his hand he showed that we were to incline to the 
west all day. He told how many times the roads 
forked by parting his fingers ; by one motion of his 



230 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

fingers lie showed when we should turn to the left 
and when to the right, and by another motion that we 
must ride very fast; then pointing to the sun, he sig- 
nified that it would be down before we would get to 
the post. 

We rode on with great rapidity, arrived at Washita 
post about sundown, and put up at Colonel More- 
house's. He was himself at New Orleans. His lady 
had been taken prisoner when a young child and 
raised among the Indians. Notwithstanding all the 
disadvantages she was still a polished lady. 

Here I met with a Dr. Floyd, who had once been a 
traveling preacher in the Mississippi territory. He 
had taken a location and gone into the practice of 
physic. Here we held our quarterly meeting. Mrs. 
Morehouse appeared to be greatly benefited and was 
sorry to part with us. We spent four or five days 
exploring that country and preaching in the evening, 
then rode back to Catahoolah lake, made a short stay 
and went on toward Natchez. 

Here I parted with our beloved brother Axley. I 
left him bathed in tears. I dropped a few, but dried 
them soon, and went on my way rejoicing. This day 
I passed the Lee house, where I staid on my way up. 
Mrs. Lee at once knew me. She wanted me to stop 
and have a cup of coffee, and she seemed quite 
jovial. She told me Lee was just about dying. I 
went in and found him speechless, and I thought 
she looked as if she was glad she was getting clear 
of him. This evening I crossed the Mississippi river 



LORENZO DOW APPROVED. 231 

and passed on, through the city of Natchez, to a 
place called the Pine Ridge, and put up with William 
Foster, Esq., a man of great wealth, and also a very 
pious man. He always received and treated Method- 
ist preachers as the Lord's messengers. Here I met 
with brother Blackman and Lorenzo Dow. I gave 
them a condensed account of my visit to Louisiana, 
what I had seen myself, and what I had learned from 
brother Axley and others. 

I was not much gratified with meeting Lorenzo 
Dow, for I had become somewhat prejudiced against 
him, on account of his controversy with Nicholas 
Sneethen and Ezekiel Cooper, and his finding fault 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He knew that 
I was dissatisfied with him, and he requested an inter- 
view with me on these points. We talked long and 
very plainly, and continued our interview, from time 
to time, for several weeks, till I became entirely sat- 
isfied that Sneethen and Cooper were more to blame 
than Dow; and he might have said many things much 
more severe than he did say without going beyond 
the bounds of truth. These interviews ended in set- 
tled friendship, our confidence in each other was mu- 
tual, and our kind regards were reciprocated. From 
that time till he left the territory, he was my constant 
companion. We traveled together, lodged in the same 
room, prayed and preached together, and the Head of 
the Church blessed our labors of love. 

It was a fortunate thing that I became acquainted 
with Lorenzo at this period. For the controversy be- 



232 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

tween us and the CaMnists was going on at this time 
with great energy. Blackman and E. W. Bowman 
both being polemic divines, had entered largely into 
the defense of Methodism, and had borne down, with- 
out much tenderness, on Calvinism, which roused both 
the Presbyterian and Baptist preachers. I found 
three Baptist preachers harnessed for the battle. 
Two of them were very talented men — Cooper and 
Bainbridge. Snodgrass. though a man of high stand- 
ing, was not very talented. There were, also, three 
Presbyterian preachers — Messrs. Smiley, TTood, and 
Bullin. These were all learned men. Bowman, our 
strongest man, had left the territory. Blackman was 
just about leaving. The preachers that came with 
me to this countrv were not able debaters, neither 
were they fond of controversy. 

Under these circumstances, it seemed to me to be 
a special act of Providence that brought Lorenzo to 
our assistance, and nothing could have pleased him 
better. In conversation, he often reminded me of a 
fast-running horse that had long been used to the 
track. They had thrown down the challenge, and 
Lorenzo took it up. All he asked was an open field 
and a fan* fight. In about three months he completely 
silenced them, and we had nothing to do but go on 
and preach the Gospel — hold prayer meetings — ad- 
minister ordinances — catechise the children, and in- 
struct the people from house to house — do the work 
of evangelists, and give full proof of our ministry : 
and the work of the Lord prospered. 



AXLEY'S SELF-DENIAL AND ENERGY. 233 



CHAPTER XIV. 

MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT — CONTINUED — 1807-8. 

We concluded, upon the "whole, that religion was 
very low throughout the Louisiana territory. Brother 
Axley was much discouraged — out of money, and 
his clothing very ragged. By this time the waters 
had risen, and he was confined to the Catahoolah set- 
tlement. He had no place to preach there. Captain 
Bowie had fallen out with him, and would not let 
him preach any longer at his house, saying, " He 
had preached so much about hell, that his chimney 
had fallen down, and he would have him there no 
longer." 

At this time he met with great opposition, and was 

sorely persecuted by the Universalists, Dunkards, and 

Catholics. We made him up some money to buy him 

some clothes, and sent it to him, but he paid the 

money out for flooring-boards. He then went into 

the forest, and cut down pine-trees, and hewed them 

with his own hands — next, borrowed a yoke of oxen, 

and hauled them together ; finally, he called the 

neighbors to raise the house, which he covered with 

shingles, made with his own hands. He built his 

pulpit — cut out his doors and windows — bought him 

boards and made seats. He then gave notice that 

20 



234 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

the meeting-house was ready, and if the people would 
come together he would preach to them. 

They all flocked out to hear him. He preached 
several times, then read the General Rules, and told 
them if they would conform to those rules, he would 
take them into the Methodist Church. But he warned 
them faithfully, if they did not intend to conform, 
not to join. The first day he opened the Church- 
door eighteen joined, among them an old man, who, 
the next week, stole a piece of bacon. Axley lectured 
him severely, told him he was forewarned, and then 
crossed his name off. There was a mischievous Dr. 
Green in the neighborhood, who tried to put the old 
man up to sue the preacher for slander, but he soon 
found he could make nothing of it. Axley informed 
me, almost every week, how he was succeeding. 
A friend wrote me a letter informing me that the 
chapel was finished, and he had named it Axley 
Chapel — that Axley had conducted himself with so 
much propriety, that neither man nor devils could 
find any fault with him. 

Blackman had left the country. Lorenzo and my- 
self traveled together for some time; at times we 
would part and then meet again, laboring to do the 
work of evangelists. He was trying to build a mill, 
and met with some severe family trials, which caused 
him to " mourn like the dove and chatter like the 
swallow." The preachers were all healthy, zealous, 
and faithful, and pretty well received by the people. 
I had finished my second round much to my own sat- 



POPLAR HILL CAMP MEETING. 235 

isfaction. The people appeared well pleased — many 
were growing in grace, and in the knowledge of the 
truth, but there were very few conversions. 

The third round commenced under more favorable 
circumstances. We held a camp meeting near Port 
Gibson, Mississippi. This was called a good camp 
meeting for that country, though nothing special took 
place. Nearly all the preachers on the district were 
present ; and, when the meeting closed, we all spent 
one day in helping Lorenzo build his mill-dam. We 
all loved Lorenzo, and he loved us, and we worked in 
great peace and harmony. 

Not long after this we appointed a camp meeting 
on what was called Poplar Hill, near the Rev. Lewis 
Vicks's, as well as I now recollect, about twenty miles 
east of Natchez. This was a very interesting meet- 
ing, perhaps the most so of any religious meeting 
held in the territory. 

The ground was beautified and highly ornamented 
with good tents. There were five or six Methodist 
preachers on the ground, and all appeared filled with 
the Holy Spirit. There were five Calvinist preachers 
present — some Presbyterians — some Baptists. Lo- 
renzo was there, but in very poor health ; and we 
discovered, on the first evening, to our great regret, 
that there were a number of sutlers near the ground, 
and many rowdies, who showed a disposition to dis- 
turb the meeting. Lorenzo and brother Houston took 
charge of the sutlers and rowdies. The congrega- 
tions were unusually large. The word of the Lord 



236 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

appeared to have free course and be glorified. Con- 
victions and conversions were numerous. 

Lorenzo outwitted the rowdies on all occasions, so 
that they became afraid of him. I believe many of 
them thought he was more than mortal. Though he 
was feeble, he would walk carelessly through the 
crowd, like a lion among the beasts of the forest. 
One day he found a large canteen full of whisky, and 
the owner's name on it. He pasted a piece of paper 
on the head of the vessel, and wrote in large capital 
letters, " Old Sam's monument — hung up in honor 
of Mr. L." He told some of the boys to bend down 
a sapling — tied the canteen to a limb, and let the 
sapling rise again. The owner was requested to come 
forward — prove property — pay charges, and take it 
away. No owner appeared, and we left it there. 

The brethren succeeded in preserving excellent 
order throughout the whole term of the meeting. On 
Sunday morning I tried to preach at nine o'clock. 
Lorenzo was lying in the tent very sick. About the 
time I was making my closing remarks, he came out 
of the tent holding his hand on his side ; his beard 
was very long, and his clothes very ragged and dirty. 
He was a sorrowful -looking creature to go into the 
pulpit. He jumped on to the hand-board, with his 
back to the congregation — looked over his right 
shoulder, and began by saying, " There is a notable 
robber in this country, who has done a vast deal of 
mischief, and is still doing it ; and, in order that the 
people may be on their guard, I intend to give you a 



DOW'S ACCOUNT OF A ROBBER. 237 

full description of his character, and the instrument 
by which he carries on his wicked works." Here I 
discovered the people were very much alarmed ; for, 
it was said, there was a Baptist preacher in the con- 
gregation who had been a desperate tory and robber, 
in the time of the Revolution — had robbed and mur- 
dered many people ; and, at the close of the Revolu- 
tion, in order to avoid condign punishment, had 
escaped to the Spanish dominions, but was now liv- 
ing in this country, having become respectable, and 
surrounded by*a numerous offspring. Many thought 
that Dow had knowledge of his history, and intended 
to expose him. Brother Randall Gibson told me he 
knew there would be a battle on the ground, as soon 
as Dow began to expose the robber ; and, therefore, 
he seized his hat, and was ready to run. Dow talked 
along, slowly, in a kind of dark, mysterious manner. 
Finally, he told the congregation who the robber was, 
and gave his name in Hebrew, Greek, and English. 
We all knew, then, he meant the devil and Satan. 
He then described the instrument by which this 
dreadful robbery was perpetrated. A short chain 
of five links, with a hook at one end, a crook at 
the other, and a swivel in the middle. The first 
link was the unconditional final perseverance of the 
saints. The second was unconditional election and 
reprobation ; that God from all eternity had elected 
some men to everlasting life, and reprobated the rest 
to everlasting perdition, and that the number was 
so definite and certain, that not one could be taken 



238 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

from one side to the other. He showed how these 
two links were connected. The third link was uni- 
versal salvation. By this time he had got off the 
hand-board, and looked to be a third larger than 
when he began. The fourth link was infidelity, for 
if the threatenings in the Bible were false the prom- 
ises were equally so. Therefore, the Bible was 
neither our rule of faith nor of practice. He then 
took up the Bible and threw it away. 

Some of the people became angry, and left the 
congregation, saying he argued just like Tom Paine 
or Volney. The fifth link was atheism. By this 
time the congregation became very much excited. 
He then went on to describe the swivel, which he 
said would turn one way or the other. In this chain 
he said there was an unanswerable argument — that 
not a man upon earth could answer it ; an argu- 
ment, he said, something like this : " It is so, because 
it is so, because !" The hook at the first end of the 
chain was presumption, the crook at the other, de- 
spair ; for if there was no God, there was nothing to 
hope for, and atheism always ended in despair. 
He then took up the other side of the argument, 
and proved, in a most masterly manner, that there 
was a God — taking about half an hour for this part 
of the argument; then he showed us that infidelity 
was founded on atheism, and when atheism fell, 
infidelity would fall, of course. He then spent about 
another half hour in proving that the Bible is the 
word of God, and the only rule, and a very sufficient 



ANOTHER SPEECH OF DOW. 239 

rule, of our faith and practice. He then showed that, 
when infidelity fell, universal salvation fell with it. 
He now went away and picked up the Bible again, 
laid it on his breast, quoting the old wise saying, 
"My book and my heart shall never part." With 
a few arguments, he brushed away Universalism, 
and seized hold of old Calvinism. Here he put forth 
all his masculine powers. By this time his shrill 
voice might have been heard nearly half a mile. The 
congregation were on their feet, and pressing toward 
the stand as if to press each other down. He said, 
when unconditional election and reprobation went 
down, unconditional and final perseverance went with 
it. Having now cleared the trash out of the way, 
he preached the unsearchable riches of Christ for 
about a quarter of an hour. He then observed, " If 
there is any gentleman in the congregation who has 
any objections to my sermon, let him come forward, 
take the stand, and make them known." He waited 
a long time. There were five Calvinist preachers 
sitting there, but not one of them moved. " Now," 
said he, " gentlemen, I am going to leave the country, 
and if you do not come forward and defend your 
doctrine while I am present, but attempt to contra- 
dict my sermon when I am gone, some one may 
compare you to a little dog, that has not courage 
enough to bark at a traveler when he is opposite 
the gate, but will run along and bark on the track 
after he has gone by !" 

Our meeting closed on Tuesday morning, under 



240 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

very propitious circumstances. Here I closed my 
third round on the district, and notwithstanding all 
my ignorance and unworthiness, the people received 
me as the Lord's messenger, and I found it in my 
heart to live and die among them, and notwithstand- 
ing I was anti-slavery in my principles and feelings, 
I loved and fellowshiped many of the slaveholders in 
that territory, being firmly persuaded that they were 
experimental Christians. 

I now commenced my fourth round, in excellent 
health, but had an attack of bilious fever in Pinkney- 
ville. The doctors had me on my feet again in a 
few days. The next week I held a quarterly meet- 
ing in west Florida. I asked some of the citizens if 
they thought I might hold such a meeting in safety. 
They said I might, if the priest did not hear it ; but 
if he did, he would order the alcalde to put me in 
the calaboose, where my friends would never hear 
of me again. The meeting-house stood close by the 
line, and I ventured to hold a meeting on Saturday 
and Sabbath. A great many people attended, among 
the rest, a little Yankee, who had been southernized. 
"When I closed my sermon in the woods, he got up 
on a log, and began to curse and swear in a most 
horrid manner. I reproved him. He then mounted 
his horse, saying he would swear when he pleased. 
I went to him, laid my hand on the horse's neck, 
and told him he would not swear when he pleased, 
there. He then began to flatter; told me he was 
pleased with my sermon, but thought I ought not 



AN OFFENDER — HIS ESCAPE. 241 

to have reproved him before so large a company. 
Brother Traverse bade me come away, and not spend 
my time with such a fellow as that. Here he broke 
out worse than ever, and undertook to lay violent 
hands on brother Traverse. A gentleman took 
Traverse's place, and a scuffle ensued, in which the 
combatants crossed the line, and got into the Missis- 
sippi territory. The Esquire saw them, and ordered 
the constable to take the offender. He took him, 
and was going to send him to jail, but he begged 
that he might go to a certain house, to obtain 
security. While he was riding side by side with the 
constable, he put spurs to his horse and galloped 
across the line, then turned and cursed them, and 
told them to do their worst. I afterward heard 
that the alcalde put him in the calaboose for mis- 
conduct at our meeting, but for the truth of the 
statement I can not vouch. 

I passed on holding quarterly meetings every 
week, till we came to our last camp meeting, which 
was on the road leading from the Grind Stone ford 
into the Choctaw nation. The week preceding this 
meeting our beloved brother Axley returned from 
Louisiana to the Mississippi territory. He met us 
at William Foster's. When he went to Louisiana 
he was a large, fine-looking man, but his flesh had 
since fallen off, and he looked quite diminutive. His 
clothes were worn out, and when he saw his brethren 
he could not talk for weeping. The people soon 

clothed him, his health became restored, his spirits 

21 



242 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

revived, and he came to the camp-ground in pretty 
good order. The congregation was unusually large 
for that country, and some of them splendidly 
dressed. He preached the first sermon, and de- 
claimed earnestly against superfluous ornaments, and 
the passions, pride and vanity which occasion them. 

There was a Madame Turnbull in the congregation 
with a gay daughter. Brother Axley perceived, by 
her movements with her servants, that she was 
offended, and about leaving the camp-ground. He 
followed her to her carriage, made some apologies 
and invited her to come back the next day. The 
meeting went on during the afternoon and night 
much as usual. The preachers had great liberty in 
preaching, the congregations were edified, and sinners 
were awakened and converted to God. 

The Sabbath morning was clear and serene. Our 
prayer meetings commenced at an early hour, and 
were crowned with abundant blessings. Brother 
Axley preached the first sermon. The congregation 
was large, and made a splendid appearance. Madame 
Turnbull according to promise was present with her 
husband. They were very orderly during service till 
the preacher was about half through. Brother Axley 
was on his favorite theme, the pride and vain-glory 
of the people of that territory, and to use one of 
Bishop Asbury's phrases, " God enabled him to 
speak strong words," and he became truly eloquent. 

Suddenly, Esq. Turnbull rose and told him to stop 
till he should speak a few words. I left the stand 



INTERRUPTION — DOW. 243 

and went to the Esquire, and ordered him, in a com- 
manding tone of voice, to take his seat, informing 
him that the meeting was not appointed for him to 
preach. He made a low bow and said he was well 
aware of that, and sat down, but before I reached my 
seat, was up again, hallooing at the top of his voice, 
" Mr. Preacher, Mr. Preacher, stop, and let me speak 
a few words." I went to him the second time, and 
pushing him off the seat, commanded him to be silent. 
As I looked toward the stand I saw the preacher was 
crying and the congregation in the utmost confusion. 
The Esquire was soon up again crying, "Esquire 
Lewis, Esquire Lewis, assist here to take this man 
out of the pulpit — he is insulting the congregation." 
Lewis, however, paid no attention to him. The 
preacher stepped back and sat down weeping. 

Lorenzo Dow was lying in his tent sick. When he 
saw the congregation was beyond my control, he rose 
and came into the pulpit. After standing and look- 
ing over the people a few moments, he ordered them, 
with authority, to hush and take their seats. In less 
than five minutes they were all quiet, and he began 
to talk about the American Revolution. This led 
him to take a summary view of the British colonies, 
in North America, their first settlements and their 
long prosperity. He then touched handsomely on 
the relation between the colonies and the mother 
country. This led him to explain what gave rise to 
the American Revolution. He then gave us a con- 
cise history of the war and its final termination, 



244 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

showing at the same time, what we had gained by 
the Revolution, saying we were now the happiest 
people on the globe. Here he became animated, 
enlarging upon our civil and religious liberty. He 
proceeded to remark that when God confers great 
privileges* on a nation, he holds her responsible for 
all she enjoys, and that where great privileges are 
abused, sometimes they are turned into the heaviest 
curses. He stated many facts to show that we were 
abusing the Divine favor — he repeated the Constitu- 
tion of the United States, and showed there was a 
bright analogy between that Constitution and the sun. 
As the sun keeps every planet and satellite in its 
own orbit, so the Constitution keeps every state and 
territory in order and harmony. He described the 
prerogatives and duties of all officers, from the Pres- 
dent down to the justice of the peace. He repeated 
the oath of office — that which binds each to support 
the Constitution of the United States, and of the state 
or territory in which the officer lives. Turning to the 
Methodist Church, he showed what it had done and 
was doing for the United States. He showed the won- 
derful doings of Methodist preachers, their lives and 
sacrifices; that they were good citizens, always 
prompt to obey the laws of the land, and were doing 
more now for their country than any other body of 
men in the United States ; and that any man who 
would interrupt a Methodist preacher while in the 
discharge of duty in his high office, was a mean, low- 
lived scoundrel, and that any Esquire that would do 



VALEDICTORY — REFLECTIONS. 245 

so was a perjured villain. He repeated the oath of 
office, and then referred to the circumstance that 
had just taken place before their eyes, and asked 
what was their prospect in the Mississippi territory, 
while they kept perjured villains in office. 

The angry Esquire did'nt say, "Mr. Preacher, 
stop;" but sat with his head down, took his family 
and left, saying, as he walked slowly along, "I always 
was a fool, and I would not, for five hundred dollars, 
have come to this place to-day." 

Suffice it to say the meeting closed well. Lorenzo 
gave us his valedictory, and we saw him no more. 
The preachers all went to their work, being refreshed 
by the Holy Spirit. 

I now took my leave of my friends in the terri- 
tory. This I now regard as the greatest blunder in 
my whole life. I ought not to have left the territory. 
I grieved the pious spirits of my friends in that coun- 
try, while leaving them in the midst of prosperity. I 
grieved the godly spirits of both the bishops, and in 
some degree incurred their displeasure, and worse 
than all, I grieved the Holy Spirit and lost the com- 
forts of religion, which I did not recover for many 
years. 



246 FIFTY YEARS IV THE ITISERAXCY. 



CHAPTER XV. 
c o >" r z f. z >" c e — i = : : . 

Jusi as I -^as preparing to leave the territory, an 
affair took place between some white men and the 
Choctaw nation, which rendered it extremely dan- 
gerous for any traveler to pass through the Choctaw 
country. The case was as follows : 

A white man kept a whisky-house near the Choc- 
taw line, and was in the habit of selling whisky :; the 
Indians, contrary to law. On a certain day, some 
of the Indians became drunk, and behaved very 
rudely. One Indian was bo much intoxicated that 
he became entirely helpless. "While he lav in this 
condition, they wounded him pretty severely. The 
next day, he became sober and demanded of the 
whisky-man an explanation. The man told him he 
had been drunk and behaved badly. He replied, 
M You no right sell me whisk," and put off saying. " I 
see yon gin." He returned in a few days with sev- 
eral Indians, and made an attempt to burn the house. 
I can not give all the particulars, bat ::t ox twc 
Indians were killed. The chiefs resolved they v 
have life for life, and ^e were not certain but that 
some travelers would be murdered if they attempted 
to pass through the Choctaw nation. 



APPREHENSIONS — INDIANS. 247 

Our Government sent a deputy to try to make 
peace, but we were ready before he returned, and 
concluded we would venture. James Axley, Richard 
Browning, John Traverse, Jedediah M'Mean, and my- 
self met at Mr. Jones's, prepared our old cloth tent, 
laid in the best store of provisions we could procure, 
and early the next morning took the road toward 
Nashville. We kept a close look-out for Indians all 
day, but saw none. In the evening we left the trail, 
went down into a deep, low ravine, kindled a fire and 
cooked our supper, then put the fire out again, tied 
our horses to trees close by — had prayers and went 

-to our lodgings, trusting in the Lord. I lay with a 
tomahawk under my head. The Lord preserved us, 
and we were brought in peace and safety to see the 
light of another day. 

We had not traveled far before we met our old 
friend Foster. He was our embassador sent on to 
make peace. He was glad to see us, and told us that 
all was well, and that we might travel in safety, which 
relieved us from all our fears. We traveled upward 
of forty miles, and camped a little before sundown. 
A little while afterward, about dark, a company of 
Indians came on and, encamping just on the other 
side of the little valley, came over to our tent to get 

h fire, turned out their horses, which we discovered 
were loaded with long kegs, swung across them, 

t which we supposed were filled with whisky. Several 
of them returned to our tent in a short time. We 
gave them some bread and cheese, and conversed 



248 FIFTY YEARS IK THE ITIXERAXCY. 

"with them as well as we could by signs. They ap- 
peared friendly, returned to their camp, and when we 
sung hymns, they sang Indian songs. They kept up 
singing and hallooing nearly all night. We thought 
they were drunk, and that we should be in danger 
before daylight. I lay with my tomahawk under my 
head, and slept but little. Toward day they went to 
sleep and all became quiet. By this time John Trav- 
erse became very sick with what is now called typhoid 
fever. Next morning he could not stand alone. We 
ate our breakfast, saddled our horses, and lifted him 
into his saddle. The poor man rode all day. We 
lifted him off at dinner-time, set him on again, and'- 
passed on till night. In this way we traveled all the 
way through to Franklin, Davidson county, Ten- 
nessee, near Nashville. Nothing very material took 
place during this journey. "We procured a lodging- 
place for our sick brother Traverse, and employed a 
good physician to attend him. We tarried all night 
with the Rev. Lewis Garret. The next day I rode 
to the Rev. Green Hill's, the place where conference 
was to meet. Here I met Bishop Asbury and Bishop 
M'Kendree. I had known elder M'Kendree for a 
long time, and had traveled with him hundreds of 
miles — now he was ordained a bishop. I could see 
no change in the man. Bishop Asbury appeared 
much displeased with me for leaving the territory. 
He lectured me pretty severely. I wept freely, but 
tried to bear it patiently. The two bishops took me 
into a room by ourselves, and requested me to give 



MEETING OF CONFERENCE. 249 

them a detailed account of every thing that had hap- 
pened of importance during the year. I endeavored 
to do so in a faithful account of my deportment, 
labors in the pulpit, and administration of Discip- 
line. 

The bishops were in fine health and spirits. Bishop 
Asbury opened the conference by reading the Scrip- 
tures, singing and prayer, and, according to his usual 
practice, gave us a very interesting lecture on relig- 
ious duties. 

As the conference was held in the country, it was 
not convenient for the people to accommodate the 
preachers and the visitors in their own houses — there- 
fore they connected a camp meeting with the confer- 
ence and accommodated the preachers in their tents. 
The camp-ground was large and the tents were very 
fine, which gave a novel and interesting appearance. 

The conference met in the meeting-house, and we 
preached on the camp-ground. Religious exercises 
went on without any interruption. There were 
preachers enough present to fill the pulpit and work 
in the altar without calling on any members of the 
conference. 

The conference business went on in peace and har- 
mony for the first three days, but on the fourth day 
our troubles began. It will be recollected that in 
1808 the General conference authorized the annual 
conference to make their own arrangements with re- 
gard to slavery. We were sitting here in a slave 
state, and we had to move with a great deal of cau- 



250 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

tion. But the question must be met without dodging, 
and the state of the Church required it at our hand. 

In the first place we appointed a judicious com- 
mittee to take the subject under serious consideration 
and report thereon. It was done in due time, but 
when the report was read it did not meet the views of 
the conference, and a long, weary, and warm debate 
ensued, in which William Burke, Samuel Parker, 
Learner Blackman, Robert Cloud, and others took part* 
Burke was now in his zenith, and he was thought 
to be the master-spirit of the conference. They 
finally condemned the report and laid it aside. 

Bishop Asbury saw we were not likely to come to 
any conclusion. He offered his services to write rules 
for us. The next morning he presented his paper; 
but we disliked it more than the report of the com- 
mittee. Bishop M'Kendree opposed it; took the floor 
and made several speeches against it. Bishop Asbury 
looked very pleasant, smiled, drew his pen across his 
paper, finally threw it away, and left us to do our 
own business in our own way. 

We labored long and hard, but we were a good deal 
like the laboring mountain that brought forth a mouse. 
Slavery had given the Church much trouble previous 
to this time ; it has been giving trouble fr«m that day 
to this, and it will continue to give us trouble while 
there is a slaveholder in the Church. 

In many respects this was a very delightful confer- 
ence, but a gloomy one to me. Adversity had spread 
her raven wings over my future prospects. Here I 



WEST WHEELING CIRCUIT. 251 

met my beloved brother Benjamin, and parted with 
him for the last time. Good Bishop M'Kendree, who 
saw that the cup of trembling was in my hand, was 
the only one that came to my relief. He appointed 
me in charge of the Nashville circuit. I told him if 
it met with his views, I would rather go to another 
circuit. Bishop Asbury thought this was a Providen- 
tial act, for he had another place where I was more 
needed; Rev. E. R. Roberts was then traveling West 
Wheeling circuit in the state of Ohio. The Bishop 
had appointed him to Fell's Point station in the city 
of Baltimore, and had left West Wheeling vacant, to 
be supplied from the Western conference. This day 
the Bishop received a letter from brother Roberts 
informing him that he could not go to Baltimore, and 
assigned his reasons; namely, his temporal business 
demanded his attention in that part of the country, 
and he could not sustain himself in the city of Balti- 
more and meet the views of the people. 

The Bishop, however, seemed determined he should 
go to Baltimore, and appointed me to take his place. 
He wrote a short letter to brother Roberts, but it was 
the most severe letter I ever read from any bishop to 
a minister. 

The conference closed in great peace and harmony. 
The preachers started to their several fields of labor 
in fine spirits, but I left Liberty Hill with a heavy 
heart. I went in company with William Burke, Caleb 
i Cloud, and William Houston. They were full of life 
and animation, acting sometimes more like men of 



252 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

the world than clergymen. Little did they know the 
condition of my mind — " every heart knoweth its own 
bitterness, and a stranger meddleth not with its joys." 
I passed on through Kentucky, meeting old friends 
here and there. They all seemed glad to see me, 
wishing me God-speed. They loved me, and I loved 
them. I was very thankful to my heavenly Father 
when I was alone, and by reading, praying, and think- 
ing I tried to regulate my heart. In the course of a 
week or ten days I succeeded nearly to my own satis- 
faction. I felt that old things had passed away, and 
that all things had become new. 



ELLIS — M'ELROY. 253 



CHAPTER XYI. 

"WEST WHEELING CIRCUIT — 1808. 

I arrived in St. Clairsville about sunset, in the 
the month of October, 1808, the center of my new 
field of labor. I had just passed two very eventful 
years — years of great trial, and perhaps the severest 
I ever passed through during my life. Yet at the 
same time they were years of great prosperity in the 
Church, and great peace in my own soul. In the 
world I have tribulation, but in Christ I have peace. 

I put up with brother Hall, a local preacher. He 
received me very kindly, but was at a loss to know 
what I came there for, and what I was going to do. 
He might have had some fears that I was an impostor. 
The next day the Rev. Michael Ellis preached there. 
I was introduced to him, but he did not ask me to 
preach. As the Methodists had no meeting-house he 
preached in a private house — a very good sermon, 
closed the meeting, and told them I would preach in 
the court-house at early candle-light. 

I was introduced to the Rev. Archibald M'Elroy, 
for the first time ; a man of but little learning, 
rough manners, giant mind, and an honest heart. 
I was introduced to Jacob Myers, Robert Dent, and 
a host of genteel-looking men, who all seemed at 



254 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

a loss to understand my business in that place. I 
had simply told brother Hall that I had come to 
ride that circuit. He seemed to think it was out of 
the question for brother Roberts to be removed, and 
supposed that I was going to take the place of the 
young preacher, Benedict Burgess, but they all 
flocked out to hear me preach — both saint and sin- 
ner — and crowded the court-house to overflowing. 
I fell so far beneath the eloquent brother Roberts, 
that I believe they went away dissatisfied. I had 
no plan of the circuit, and inquired where I might 
find brother Roberts. They could not tell me, but 
said he had boarded with Mr. Worldly, an uncle to 
his wife. I rode on to Worldly's — brother Roberts 
was not there. He was gone to the place where 
he formerly lived, Mercer county, Pennsylvania. I 
asked Mr. Worldly if I could stay all night. He 
answered, that depended on my good behavior. I 
told him I would try to behave myself — but thought 
it a rough answer to a stranger. 

I soon perceived that I had to go through another 
fiery ordeal. They began to apprehend that Roberts 
was going to leave, and that I was to be their 
preacher, and they did not like it. I went on, 
preached several times in different places, till I met 
brother Roberts. I went to William Rouse's, one 
of the preaching-places, and while waiting for the 
congregation, Roberts stepped into the house. I 
thought I never saw a more interesting countenance. 
He advanced toward me, I met him promptly, and 



INTERVIEW WITH ROBERTS. 255 

we shook hands. He said, " I suppose this is brother 
Young — my name is Roberts." He introduced me 
to his wife. After we had chatted a few minutes, 
I handed him a letter from Bishop Asbury. It was 
evident his mind was much agitated while reading. 
He told me if I wished I could read it. I thought 
it rather severe. The congregation collected, I 
preached, brother Roberts closed, and we had a very 
good class meeting. I thought he felt pretty much 
determined not to go; but he gave me the plan of 
the circuit. This was the first time we ever met; 
notwithstanding we were both surrounded by cir- 
cumstances calculated to try men's souls, yet we 
parted in great friendship. Our kindred spirits 
mingled into one, while we gave each other the 
parting hand — and we remained firm friends till the 
day of his death. 

I plainly saw my situation was any thing but 
pleasant ; but I was determined to go on, trusting 
in the living God, and take the advice of Cromwell 
to his soldiers, " Trust in God, and keep your 
powder dry." I found my circuit large, including 
the whole of Belmont, Jefferson, and Harrison coun- 
ties. The membership were numerous, and there 
was a great deal of work to be done. I had no 
colleague but brother James Wilson, who belonged 
to the Baltimore conference, and would have to leave 
soon. I commenced my regular labors the next 
Sabbath day, in St. Clairsville, to a very numerous 
congregation, not above one-third of which could 



256 FIFTY TEARS IB THE ITINERANCY. 

get into the house. The Rev. Caleb Humphrey, 
and his amiable daughter Ruth, accompanied me to 
that place. 

This was to my soul a delightful day. In the 
evening, brother M'Elroy preached in the court- 
house. The next day I spent in visiting the flock, 
some of them gave me the cold shoulder, others 
gave indications of Christian fellowship, and a hearty 
welcome to their houses and pulpits. 

I spent this week betvreen St. Clairsville and Hope- 
well meeting-house, which -was not far from the 
mouth of Indian Short creek, preaching almost every 
day. and visiting from house to house. My heavenly 
Master gave me a good week. I preached on Sun- 
day at eleven o'clock, and in the evening. I met 
Lorenzo Dow. He preached that day in "Wheeling, 
and having heard that I preached at Hopewell, rode 
ten miles, through a dreadful snow-storm, to meet 
me. After he had preached a short sermon for me, 
we went to a house near the church, and sat up 
nearly all night. We dwelt largely on what we had 
passed through, expatiated with much comfort on 
our present circumstances, and with the hesitancy 
becoming short-sighted mortals, conversed on our 
future prospects. The next day we :■: :sst 1 the Oh:: 
river and rode to John Spain's, sen., where I found 
a large, flourishing family. The old gentleman was 
a widower. He had two sons and seven daughters 
living, one dead. He was in easy circumstances, 
and blessed with a benevolent heart. 



RUTH— BARNABAS LUCAS. 257 

Here, for the first time, I saw my beloved Ruth, 
who afterward became my wife. I became very 
much attached to the family on my first visit. I 
met with l?eggy Dow, much to our mutual comfort — 
we spent two days together, and parted to meet no 
more. 

I crossed the river and resumed my labors, 
spending most of this week between Hopewell and 
Steubenville. I met with a number of large and 
flourishing societies within this week. In Steuben- 
ville we had no society, there were a few scattering 
Methodists there, but they were not organized into 
a class. 

I had put up with an old man under the hill by the 
name of Barnabas Lucas, whose occupation was 
dressing deer-skins and making gloves. Although 
I had been acquainted with many good men, I 
believe I never knew a better man than he. His 
house became my home for nearly twenty years. 
Here I passed another inquisition. They appeared to 
want my whole history — how long I had preached ; 
what appointments I had filled ; whether I had been 
in charge, or was only a junior preacher, etc. 

Next day, I reconnoitered the town, to see how the 
land lay. I was pleased with the appearance of the 
people, and left the town pretty well satisfied. I rode 
thirteen miles to old Jacob Neisless, a very singular 
man, who was dressed like a beggar, though he had 
accumulated a very large property. He had stored 

his mind well with useful knowledge, but was quite 

22 



258 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

eccentric, and, at times, appeared a little deranged. 
I often thought it might have been from making a 
too free use of ardent spirits. I was treated like a 
prince. 

The next day, I preached at Hale's meeting-house, 
to a large congregation, and had an excellent meet- 
ing. I had now reached the northern part of my 
circuit, preaching every day, and, sometimes, holding 
prayer meetings at night, and endeavoring to do the 
work of a Methodist preacher in every particular, 
both great and small. On Saturday night, I came 
round to Holmes's meeting-house, on Indian Short 
creek. 

At our last annual conference, the "West Wheeling 
circuit, belonging to the Baltimore conference, was 
transferred to the Western conference ; and while that 
circuit remained in the Baltimore conference, Thorn- 
ton Fleming was presiding elder, and Robert B. Bob- 
erts circuit preacher, on the West Wheeling circuit. 
After the transfer alluded to, James Quinn was pre- 
siding elder, and Jacob Young preacher, on the above- 
named circuit. 

Brother Fleming and brother Roberts, at this time, 
held their last quarterly meeting before they left the 
circuit, which meeting I attended. Brother Fleming 
appeared to be very much dissatisfied with the trans- 
fer, and complained heavily of Bishop Asbury, say- 
ing, "This is a high-handed measure. It is high 
Episcopacy, and I never subscribed to that form of 
Episcopacy ; for our Episcopacy is low Episcopacy." 



MICHAEL ELLIS-PROSPECTS. 259 

He turned and looked at me with an angry counte- 
nance, saying, "Brother Young, I want information." 
I replied, "Well, sir, I'll give it to you, if I am 
able." He then said, "Well, I know the circuit is 
transferred from the Baltimore to the Western con- 
ference." I replied, "That is all the information I 
can give you, with the exception of one item. I am 
sent by Bishop Asbury to travel this circuit." Here 
the dialogue ended. He kneeled down abruptly, 
and said, "Father Ellis, pray." I looked across the 
house, and saw one of the most venerable forms I 
ever beheld in all my life. He was a large man, with 
a very white head, and a masculine voice and appear- 
ance. He kneeled down and prayed as though the 
kingdom of God was coming with power. This was 
the venerable Michael Ellis. He asked his good 
Maker to deliver us from monarchy. This sentence 
in his prayer made me a little mischievous, for he was 
praying to be delivered from a thing that had no 
existence among us. I felt very strange, indeed, 
being a young man in a strange land, and under, 
what was to me, a strange kind of presiding elder. 
However, I resolved to make the very best I could of 
my circumstances. 

I completed my first round, and was well pleased 
with my field of labor, and, as far as I could judge, 
the people were well pleased with me. My prospect 
for a prosperous year was very good. About this 
time, my colleague came on. He made a very indif- 
ferent appearance. His clothes were ragged and 



260 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

dirty. He was a very young man, and a very igno- 
rant one. The people pitied him, took him to Cadiz, 
and clothed him well from head to foot. He soon 
began to conduct himself improperly, and the pre- 
siding elder dismissed him, and sent him home. 
Shortly after this, our first quarterly meeting came 
on. Our presiding elder, Rev. James Quinn, ap- 
peared to live and preach like a primitive evangelist. 
We soon had revivals at nearly all our preaching- 
places. We had but few meeting-houses, and were 
compelled to preach in private houses. In St. Clairs- 
ville and Steubenville, we preached in the court- 
houses. At Steubenville, was an old log court-house, 
up stairs. The celebrated Obadiah Jennings, a dis- 
tinguished lawyer of that place, was nearly always 
present. He generally took his seat close by my 
stand, and seemed to drink in every word. His 
father was a Presbyterian preacher, and he had been 
brought up in that Church, but he professed no relig- 
ion. Through the course of this winter, God power- 
fully converted his soul. Although he was making 
thousands of dollars at his practice, as soon as he 
became pious, he shut up his law-books, joined the 
Presbyterian Church, took a regular theological 
course, went to preaching, and labored a number of 
years with great success. He then left Ohio, and 
took charge of a large congregation in the city of 
Nashville, Tenn. He was a man of meek and quiet 
spirit, and, if called upon, he could defend the truth 
equal to any one of his day. Having served his God 



JAMES WATTS — THOMAS CHURCH. 261 

faithfully, he died in peace, and passed away to the 
paradise of God. 

We held our second quarterly meeting in St. Clairs- 
ville court-house. Revs. Michael Ellis and James 
Quinn held forth on Saturday, Sabbath, and Monday, 
to great advantage. I trust much good was done in 
the name of the holy child Jesus. I had a preacher 
with me by the name of James Watts. In the au- 
tumn of this year, he had a severe fit of sickness, 
and was likely to die. But he recovered, and we 
traveled in the Western conference several years 
together, after which he returned to the Baltimore 
conference. Although he was not a great man, he 
was truly a good minister of the Gospel, and, I 
trust, is now shining with the stars in the kingdom 
of God. 

I labored on, with considerable success, through 
this severe winter. Spring opened early and very 
pleasant. Baltimore conference held its session in 
March, in the city of Baltimore. They sent me, for 
colleague, Rev. Thomas Church. He came under 
the impression that I was to leave the circuit, and 
he to take charge. He had received an impression 
on his mind that I was to go to Wills creek. He 
stopped with the Spahr family on his way to the 
circuit, and, as I had become rather a favorite in that 
family, it gave them some uneasiness that I was going 
so far away. He came on, and met me at Holmes's 
meeting-house, and handed me a letter from Bishop 
Asbury. I opened the letter, and found that I was 



262 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

to stay on the circuit, and Church was to be the junior 
preacher. 

The next morning, I gave him a plan of the circuit, 
and we worked in great peace and harmony. He was 
an eloquent man, and his preaching produced a good 
effect on the congregations. As he was passing 
round, some of the people told him I was a very proud 
man — that I would not stay with the poor people, but 
put up all the time with the rich; and, as he was an 
older man than myself, he undertook to correct me, 
telling me that I must stay wherever I preached. I 
told him, promptly, I would not; that I would visit 
the people as far as practicable, catechise them, and 
pray with them, but, when I could avoid sleeping 
among fleas and bed-bugs, I intended to do it. 
"Well," said he, "you are wrong; you are injuring 
your usefulness. I intend staying wherever I preach, 
whether they are rich or poor, dirty or clean." I re- 
plied, "Very well, brother Church; do just as you 
please, and I will do as I please." 

He went on very resolutely — preached at a certain 
place where they were very dirty, but he was determ- 
ined to reform them, and make them live as Chris- 
tians ought to live. He took the old people out into 
the kitchen, the next morning, and commenced his 
lectures with tears flowing from his eyes ; he reproved 
the old lady for not keeping her house clean. She, 
taking it as an insult, departed, leaving the preacher 
and the old gentleman by themselves. ■ 

The old gentleman acknowledged that what brother 



A DIFFICULT REFORMATION. 263 

Church said was true — that he had lahored long to 
bring about a better state of things in his house, but 
had not succeeded — that he had no hope of reforma- 
tion, but intended to bear it patiently to the end of 
his life. The good old men wept together, prayed, 
and parted. My colleague was a man of firmness, 
4and determined to carry out what he had taken in 
hand. 

The next family he undertook to reform, were very 
wealthy, but they lived in a desperate style. He 
commenced the work of reformation after the congre- 
gation had all retired ; but here he met with one a 
little more than his match, who pretty soon talked 
him out of countenance, advising him to mind his 
own business, and assured him that she would mind 
hers. The family were very numerous, and having 
become highly incensed against the old preacher ,~ 
tried to injure him by raising false reports, but they 
could not sustain any thing, and the matter went off 
quietly. 

The good old man learned experience by the things 
he suffered. We held many two-days' meetings, 
and the Lord blessed our labors in a most singular 
manner. Our third quarterly meeting came on in 
June. Rev. James Quinn, presiding elder, was with 
us in fine health and spirits. These were some of 
the best days of James Quinn — he preached with great 
ability, and the Lord owned his labors. This was 
among the best quarterly meetings I ever enjoyed. 
At eleven the congregation was unusually large. It 



264 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

fell to my lot to preach. We retired to the grove — 
the people appeared to weep and tremble at the word. 
I was followed by the presiding elder; Rev. John 
Holmes brought up the rear, and the people fell 
around him like men slain in battle. The meet- 
ing closed under pleasing circumstances, and I went 
on my way rejoicing to my next appointment. 

This week I renewed acquaintance with the lady 
who afterward became my wife. By living near the 
Lord, reading his holy word in private, fasting and 
prayer, I became fully satisfied it was my duty to 
change my situation, and after some inquiry I thought 
I had found the person whom God intended should be 
my companion through life. She was of a good fam- 
ily, and had embraced religion in her thirteenth 
year ; from that time till she became my wife, she 
was not only a light, but a burning and a shining 
light, in her father's family. Her father and mother 
were Christians of a high order. Her father was 
brought up among the Lutherans, was converted to 
God when very young, and was among the first, west 
of the Alleghany Mountains, that opened their doors 
to receive the Methodist itinerant. His house was a 
preaching-place for more than twenty years. Here 
the Lord's servants always met with a hearty wel- 
come. Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat were in the 
habit of visiting the family, and when the house 
would not contain the congregation they would retire 
to a large elm-tree, that stood a little north of the 
dwelliDg-house, where the Lord's servants preached 



THE AUTHOR'S MARRIAGE. 265 

the unsearchable riches of Christ to listening multi- 
tudes, and many, very many sinners were converted 
on this consecrated ground. Finding the congrega- 
tion was not well accommodated there, he, with the 
assistance of his neighbors, put up a large stone 
meeting-house which is standing at this day. They 
had many camp meetings near that church, and the 
Lord's word had free course and was glorified. These 
were great and glorious days. 

Thornton Fleming, Daniel Hitt, Robert R. Roberts, 
Joseph Shackleford, Jacob Gruber, Andrew Hemp- 
hill, James Quinn, and many others, preached here. 
At this time the Spahr family were very numerous, 
and very respectable — they were blessed with plenty 
of this world's goods, and it appeared to be their 
chief joy to support the Church. 

A few weeks after this quarterly meeting, I vis- 
ited the object that had gained my affections, and 
submitted my proposition, as far as I knew my own 
heart, in the true spirit of a Christian minister ; and, 
after a suitable time for deliberation, she answered in 
the affirmative. The name of my intended bride was 
Ruth Spahr; and after the contract was entered 
into, I took another entire round on my circuit. I 
then returned to her father's house, and on the 8th 
of August, 1809, our marriage was solemnized by 
Rev. William Wilson. Our friends and neighbors all 
appeared to be well pleased, and Heaven seemed to 
smile on our union. We had peace of conscience 

and joy in the Holy Ghost. 

23 



266 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

About this time I received a letter from Bishop 
Asbury, informing me that he would pass through my 
circuit, and requesting me to make an appointment 
for him at St. Clair sville court-house. I complied 
with the request, and, on the appointed day, started 
to meet him in Wheeling. He left the town early in 
the morning, and I met him half-way between Wheel- 
ing and St. Clairsville. He was traveling in com- 
pany with Rev. Henry Boem. Asbury was in fine 
health, and glad to see me. Boem left the carriage 
and mounted my horse, while I took my seat with the 
Bishop. We rode together till we came in sight of 
the court-house. I drove his carriage to Rev. Va- 
choal Hall's, put up his horses, and procured him 
good accommodations. 

All of a sudden he took a notion he would not 
preach that day. I rather insisted — telling him the 
people would be disappointed. He answered me 
rather harshly, told me he was willing to be my 
servant, but that he would be no man's slave. I said 
no more, but went up to the court-house, and did the 
best I could. After dinner, the Bishop went on his 
journey, and I went on my way rejoicing. 

I went out into the woods, three miles west of St. 
Clairsville, and with the help of the friends cleared 
off a large camp-ground, opened two fine springs, and 
made preparations for camp meeting. It was a new 
thing, as there never had been camp meeting in that 
part of the world before. The people built a great 
many wooden tents, large and comfortable — they 



CAMP MEETING — M'KENDREE. 267 

began to assemble on Thursday. Brother James 
Quinn was there in the true spirit of an evangelist. 
He preached the opening sermon. It was attended 
with the power of God sent down from heaven. We 
had but little ministerial help, and we did not need 
much, for we had but little time to preach. The 
people were either singing, shouting, or praying, 
nearly all the time. We held the meeting five or 
six days. We suppose there were a hundred con- 
versions. 

About this time I received a line from Bishop 
M'Kendree, informing me that as he was to pass 
through that part of the country, he would like to see 
me. Accordingly, I met him at a place called Dod- 
ridge's Chapel, in Pennsylvania, at Kev. Thornton 
Fleming's quarterly meeting. Here the Bishop 
preached to great advantage Saturday, Sabbath, and 
Monday. 

I tried to preach on Sunday in the afternoon, but 
was completely brushed, and it was very unfortunate 
for me. My wife was with me, and she had never 
heard me but two or three times. I suppose she felt 
bad, but she said nothing. I wound up my business 
on the circuit, and went to conference. 



268 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

REAPPOINTMENT — TRANSFER TO BALTIMORE 
CONFERENCE — 1809. 

Our conference was held in October of this year in 
Cincinnati. There was a great deal of business on 
hand, and much of it was of a very unpleasant na- 
ture. M'Kendree and Asbury were both present* 
They made out to keep order ; but, on the whole, it 
was an unprofitable conference. 

I was reappointed to the West Wheeling circuit in 
1809. I came within its bounds Saturday night about 
nine o'clock, preached on Sunday, and in the after- 
noon rode to father Spahr's. My wife concluded she 
would live at her father's this year, which greatly in- 
creased my labors. The circuit was very large, and 
I had to cross the Ohio river every two weeks ; but, 
being blessed with excellent health, I performed my 
labors with much comfort. 

Nothing new or strange took place during the win- 
ter. In the spring I was transferred to the Baltimore 
conference — 1810. I was placed on what was then 
called the Ohio circuit. William Lambden took my 
place on West Wheeling. My father-in-law lived on 
the Ohio circuit, and we were at home without the 
trouble of moving. All things appeared to work to- 



JOHN WEST — JACOB GRUBER. 269 

gether for our good. Whether we loved God as we 
ought to have done is another matter. This was a 
very pleasant circuit. I had a pleasant colleague, the 
Rev. John West. We labored together in great har- 
mony, and had some success, but not near as much as 
we had on West Wheeling. The Rev. Jacob Gruber 
was our presiding elder. He was a little like Jacob 
of old; for he had power with God and man — power 
with God in prayer — power with man in his sermons 
and exhortations. In his day he turned many to 
righteousness, and I have no doubt he now shines in 
the kingdom of his Father in heaven. I was the 
junior preacher, and it fell to my lot to class the chil- 
dren and catechise them; and some of them are 
prominent members of the Church at this day. Our 
first quarterly meeting was in Washington, Penn. 
We had some few conversions, but the meeting was 
inferior to such as I had been used to in the west. 
On this circuit I became acquainted with a great 
many very excellent men, such as Ralph Douglass, 
John M' Cully, Abraham M' Cully, Joseph Morgan, 
Mordecai Morgan, John Bukey — all of Ohio county, in 
Virginia — Benjamin M. Mechin, James Shannon, 
Richard Wells, Eleander Wells, sen., etc. These 
men I never can forget, for they were friends to me 
when I needed friends. 

Our second quarterly meeting was a camp meeting, 
held on the waters of Short creek, Ohio county, Va. 
Great preparations were made for this meeting. We 
had a great deal of ministerial help, and our elder 



270 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

exerted himself to the very utmost of his abilities. 
There was good done, but it was not equal to the 
camp meeting held the year before on West Wheeling 
circuit. The rowdies annoyed us exceedingly. They 
pitched their tents on the hill-sides round about, and 
sold whisky, brandy, and cider. I visited and con- 
versed with them till I found I could accomplish noth- 
ing in that way. I then took a strong man with me 
and a hammer, went to their tents, knocked in 
the heads of their casks, and spilled their liquor on 
the ground. We had a delightful time at the close 
of the meeting; a great many joined the Church. I 
labored hard during the few remaining months and 
had some little success, but had a melancholy and 
gloomy winter. The Lord gave us a beautiful son, 
and took him away in a few hours. My sister-in-law, 
Mrs. Hannah Connely, had an attack of winter fever. 
We strove hard to save her, but had to give her up. 
My wife was taken sick about the same time, and did 
not recover for more than a year. My last quarterly 
meeting was a melancholy time. I had a short time 
since buried my son, and my wife was lying at home 
sick. I closed my business on the circuit in the best 
manner I could, and started to conference, to be held 
in Baltimore about the last of February. I crossed 
the Mountains and went on through the Old Do- 
minion. 

When I reached the city of Baltimore I appeared 
to be almost in a new world. At this time the Balti- 
more conference was the best in the connection. It 



REDSTONE CIRCUIT. 271 

was said, by Dr. Fisk, to sit like a queen among the 
conferences. Here I became acquainted with a great 
many ministers, such as Nelson Reed, Stephen G. Bos- 
zel, John Pitts, William Ryland, Joseph Fry, and 
Joshua Wells. These were men of God, thoroughly 
furnished unto every good work — workmen that 
needed not to be ashamed. Although they are dead, 
they still speak. We had a most delightful confer- 
ence. Asbury and M'Kendree filled the chair alter- 
nately with great dignity. 

I was appointed to the Bedstone circuit, Ohio dis- 
trict, Baltimore conference, 1811 — Jacob Gruber my 
presiding elder, and James Wilson my colleague. I 
rode home with all convenient speed and found my 
wife still sick. I rested a day or two, and then started 
on the circuit. I commenced my labors at the Bev. 
Chad Chalfinch's, preaching at eleven on Saturday, 
where a revival began at the first meeting. On Sat- 
urday night I preached at Bridgeport, on the Monon- 
gahela river, near Brownsville. On Sunday morning 
in Brownsville. By this time many appeared awak- 
ened to their lost condition, and were inquiring their 
way to Zion, with their faces thitherward. While I 
was visiting from house to house I found the people's 
expectations were very high. I performed my first 
round in four weeks, preached upward of thirty ser- 
mons, and met a great many classes. 

It seemed to me, after I performed my first round, 
that I was a new man, both in body and mind. I 
had no difficulty in preaching or meeting class — had 



272 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

nothing to do but open my month and words flowed 
out like water running down hill. I regard this as 
the best year of my ministerial labors and life. The 
conference year began well, continued well, and wound 
up to the glory of God. Our four quarterly meet- 
ings were attended with signal displays of the Divine 
power in the awakening and conversion of sinners. 
Our presiding elder appeared quite on the suburbs of 
heaven. My colleague enjoyed much of the Divine 
presence, and preached with great success. "We held 
many two days' meetings, watch-nights, and love- 
feasts — all owned and blessed by the great Head of 
the Church. 

Our first camp meeting was held in June, near 
Martin's Chapel, on Crooked run. We held it long 
and labored hard, but there was not a great deal of 
good done, which was owing to a circumstance that 
took place the year before, on the same ground. The 
rowdies behaved worse than common. They arrested 
the presiding elder, and bound him over to court, 
and the suit was still pending at the time of this 
camp meeting. A certain Dr. Cela was the most 
prominent person concerned in this affair. Some 
took sides with the Doctor, and some with the elder. 
Finally, the suit came off, and the elder gained a 
complete victory. The Doctor, and his whole party, 
were thrown into the shade. 

Not being as well satisfied with that camp meeting 
as I wished to be, we appointed another in the vicinity 
of East Liberty, on the Youghiogheny river. Many 



CAMP MEETING-RETROSPECT. 273 

of the strong men came to our help, such as John 
Meek, Wm. Page, and Greenbury R. Jones. Gruber 
was on hand, harnessed for the battle. The meeting 
opened under favorable circumstances. The weather 
was fine, the grounds were delightful, and the tents 
comfortable. Both men and women appeared to be 
in the true spirit of camp meeting. Brother Gruber 
preached the opening sermon, which was attended 
with unusual success. The meeting continued till 
Tuesday or Wednesday, and the result was, one 
hundred and thirty, or more, joined the Church, and, 
I suppose, fully as many were converted to God. 
This camp meeting gave a fresh impetus to the work 
of God all round the circuit, which continued, with 
increasing interest, through the fall and winter 
months. I closed my labors on this circuit about 
the first of March. When I was leaving, many of 
them followed me with streaming eyes, and shouts of 
joy. I was also much blessed in my own soul, and 
felt sorry at parting with my dear friends. 

I rested at home a few days with my family, and 
recruited my strength, in some degree, before starting 
for conference. 

Since I left the Mississippi district, I had spent 
three years and six months in great peace and pros- 
perity. I had seen a great many souls happily con- 
verted ; I had seen Zion's borders greatly enlarged ; 
I had become extensively acquainted with many good 
men; and, as I have always been a lover of good 
men, this added much to my happiness and useful- 



274 FIFTY YEARS IH THE ITIKERANCT. 

ness, as they all helped me to do the work of an 

evangelist. 

"While on West Wheeling circuit, James Quinn was 
my counselor and guide. I take great delight in 
speaking well of James Quinn. for, in my opinion, 
few better men ever lived. While on that field of 
labor, I formed an acquaintance with that man of 
God, Rev. James B. Finley, and our acquaintance has 
lasted long, and our friendship was reciprocated, with 
great comfort and usefulness. Few men have helped 
me more to do good, and to get good, than J. B. 
Finley. I became acquainted with a great many 
local preachers on that circuit, but I have not time 
nor space to enumerate them all. 

I will select one — Rev. Archibald M'Elroy — not 
because I loved him more than the rest, but on 
account of his great singularity. He had but few 
advantages in early life. His education was very lim- 
ited, but his natural powers were strong and mas- 
culine. He was endowed with great natural and 
moral courage, and, I believe, was as honest a man as 
I ever knew. He never undertook any thing but 
what was right. Like old David Crockett, he first 
knew or thought he was right, and then he went 
ahead in good earnest. When he was quite a young 
man, he became pious, and, as far as we can judge 
from his life, God counted him faithful, and put him 
into the ministry. As I have not time to give a full 
history of the man, I will touch on two particulars, 
and leave him. He lived in the days of intemper- 



ARCHIBALD M'ELROY. 275 

ance, in Belmont county. The manufacturing, vend- 
ing, and drinking of whisky was carried on, in those 
days, to perfection — if there be any perfection in the 
horrifying practice, and scarcely one man was found 
in the whole country to say a word against it. M'El- 
roy entered the field single-handed, and delivered, I 
suppose, several hundred of the most powerful tem- 
perance lectures that ever were heard in Ohio. He 
had no temperance organizations, and no periodicals 
devoted to the cause of temperance, to back him. 
Some of the preachers encouraged, others opposed 
him — not because they were friends to intemperance, 
but they said they did not like his manner. Whisky- 
makers, and keepers of grog-shops, often swore ven- 
geance against him, but they never laid hands on him. 
His well-built frame, manly countenance, and strong 
arm were a sufficient guarantee against all danger. 
It was not an uncommon thing, in those days, to see 
drunken men lying in the streets and alleys of St. 
Ciairsville. As far as I know, they frequently laid 
there all night. As he was going, on one occasion, 
to the court-house, to deliver one of his philippics, he 
saw several drunken men lying about the court-house, 
and other places; he also saw large gangs of hogs 
running in the streets, which was contrary to the 
laws of the corporation. As the court-house was 
pretty well filled with hearers, he thought it a good 
opportunity to give them some advice. He advised 
'them, by all means, to preserve order in their town, 
and to enforce the laws of the corporation against 



276 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

letting hogs run at large in the streets; "for," said 
he, " many of your citizens are in the habit of getting 
drunk, and lying in the streets and alleys, and are in 
danger of being eaten up by the hogs." 

His lectures were like bread cast upon the waters — 
the fruit appeared after many days. A temperance 
reformation broke out in that place, after honest 
Archibald had gone to his reward. He joined the 
traveling connection in 1813, traveled a good many 
years, and, I believe, was the happy instrument of 
turning many to righteousness; but his singularities, 
and roughness of manner, caused him a great deal of 
trouble, and often raised him up many enemies where 
he might have had friends. He used to preach near 
Yellow creek, in Jefferson county. He often preached 
on the terrors of the law, and, when he was at liberty, 
he was tremendously awful. In that neighborhood, 
there was a man of great wealth and great shrewd- 
ness. He was a professor of religion, but set a very 
bad example. Archibald, while he was preaching, 
one day, undertook to give the congregation a de- 
scription of hell. The gentleman alluded to became 
very uneasy, left the house, and went so far away 
that he could not hear the preacher's voice. When 
meeting was over, he returned, and inquired of the 
congregation if any one could tell him where that 
gentleman came from, saying, certainly "he must 
have been in hell, or he never could give such a de- 
scription of the place as was given here to-day." 

But, with all his peculiarities, talents, and useful- 



MEN OF MARK. 277 

ness, he is gone to the spirit-land. I loved him in 
life, I loved him in death, and I still love his memory. 

On Ohio and Redstone circuits, I spent two happy 
years, saw the pleasure of the Lord prospering in my 
poor hands, and formed a close acquaintance with 
many excellent ministers of our Lord Jesus Christ — 
such as Thornton Fleming, William Page, Allen 
Green, James M'Hanson, Jacob Dowell, William 
Lambden, Chad Chalfinch, William Wilson, Abel Rob- 
inson, and others too numerous to mention. 

At the same time, I formed an acquaintance with 
many excellent men that were not ministers — such as 
Major John M'Culloch, Ralph Douglass, Joseph Mor- 
gan, John Bukey, Alexander Wells, Bazileel Wells, 
and Philip Dodridge — perhaps, the greatest man I 
ever knew — Dr. J. Dodridge, Noah Zane, Charles 
Hannon, and Jonathan Rowland, who, with others, as 
far as I could judge, were all my friends, and now 
they are nearly all in eternity. How gloomy and 
melancholy is old age, unless rendered cheerful and 
comfortable by the hope of a better life to come ! I 
left all these delightful scenes and friends behind 
me, to enter on a new field of labor. I felt my re- 
sponsibility to God and the Church; but I went in 
the strength of the Captain of our salvation. My 
health was recovering rapidly, and, in a few more 
days, I was able to renew my labors. 



278 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

OHIO DISTRICT — 1812. 

The Baltimore conference held its session in Lees- 
burg, Loudon county, Virginia. It had become very 
large, and the preachers generally attended this year, 
it being the time to elect delegates to the General 
conference. Asbury and M'Kendree were both pres- 
ent. The Rev. Nicholas Sneethen attended, who was 
then at his zenith. I thought he was one of the most 
interesting Gospel ministers I had ever heard. 

This was a very interesting and exciting time 
throughout the States. It was the spring of 1812. 
While we were sitting in conference, Congress was 
sitting in Washington City, agitating the war question. 
About the time we left Leesburg they declared war 
against Great Britain. As I rode home I found the 
people very much agitated ; some were angry, and 
some were frightened ; but a large majority were well 
pleased with what Congress had done. I was very 
much alarmed for my country, and seriously alarmed 
for my own safety. 

My alarm for my country arose out of three con- 
siderations : First, a division among ourselves. The 
two great leading parties were Federalists and Re- 
publicans. The Federalists were generally opposed 



OHIO D.ISTKICT. 279 

to the war, but the Republicans were the strongest. 
Secondly, I dreaded the British navy; I knew we 
were not able to contend with them on the water, and 
I feared they would blockade all our seaports. 
Thirdly, I dreaded the savages in the north, and in 
the south ; I knew they would become British allies — 
I dreaded the tomahawk and scalping-knife — I was 
alarmed, also, for my own safety. 

I was appointed, this year, to take charge of the 
Ohio district. Part of my field of labor lay near the 
seat of war. On my way home from Leesburg, I was 
taken sick in the Mountains, but made out to reach 
home. I had a severe attack of fever, and my life 
was despaired of for a number of days ; but, by the 
mercy of God, I recovered, and, by the 20th of April, 
I was on my feet again. 

About the first of May, 1812, I crossed the Ohio 
river and went to Steubenville. Here I formed a plan 
of my district ; I found it covered a very large terri- 
tory ; part of the country very rough — another part 
might with propriety have been called a swamp. I 
went by the way of New Lisbon, Canfield, Youngs- 
town, on the Mahoning, Hubbardsville, and Smithfield, 
here I crossed the Pennsylvania line — Salem town- 
ship, Mercer county— moved on through mud and 
water till I came to Oil creek, Crawford county, Penn- 
sylvania. Here I held my first quarterly meeting, in 
a barn. The alarm of war was spreading through 
that country. Crowds of people attended the quar- 
terly meeting. James Watts and William Connelly 



280 FIFTY YEAES IN THE ITINERANCY. 

were my helpers. I found the neighborhood under 
revival influence, and had a very comfortable quarterly 
meeting. 

Next week I returned again to the Western Re- 
serve, and held quarterly meeting in the town of 
Hartford. Thomas Crockwell and John Summerfield 
were the circuit preachers. Nothing out of the com- 
mon order took place at this meeting. The prospect 
looked rather discouraging. 

Next week, through mud and water, I made my 
way to the town of Burton, and held quarterly meet- 
ing in Seth Hays's barn. Here I found a very large 
congregation, considering the newness of the country. 
This was a profitable meeting. Abram Daniels was 
circuit preacher. After keeping up the meeting for 
several days, we closed it, and parted in great har- 
mony. So I passed on by the way of Canton, New 
Philadelphia, Coshocton, Zanesville, Cambridge, in 
Guernsey county, Barnesville, in Belmont, St. Clairs- 
ville, thence to my little home, on Pleasant Point, 
Ohio county, Virginia. 

I had a long and laborious tour. My horse was 
nearly worn out, and looked as if he never would 
recover. My clothes were pretty ragged, and my 
pockets nearly empty. During that whole time I did 
not receive twenty dollars. I found my wife in very 
good health, and our little house well filled with good 
things. I spent a few days at home — had my gar- 
ments repaired — obtained another good horse, and set 
out on my second round of quarterly meetings, pur- 



SCARCITY — FRENCH CREEK. 281 

suing nearly the same route — holding quarterly meet- 
ings every week — often preaching at night, and, fre- 
quently, our meetings would continue till after mid- 
night. Revivals became common throughout the 
whole district, especially on Shenango circuit, under 
the labors of the pious Abel Robinson. The work 
prospered well on Erie circuit this year. 

I had not proceeded far on this round, till I heard 
the cry of distress from many families. Bread-stuff 
had become very scarce, and sold at very high prices ; 
flour, in some places, was sixteen dollars per barrel. 
Most of the families were poorly supplied with bread, 
and, report said, some lived without it. Meat was 
then about as scarce and high as bread. Along the 
Lake shore the alarm of war spread terror among the 
inhabitants. 

I went next to the mouth of French creek, on the 
Alleghany river. Here Rev. William Connelly under- 
took a mission to Brokenstraw, and the mouth of 
Conawango, where the people were expecting a 
quarterly meeting, though there were no traveling 
preachers in that part of the country at that time. 
The Genesee preachers had left them out, and they 
were like sheep having no shepherd. When I came 
on to the appointed ground, I found a stand erected 
near the bank of the river — very convenient seats, 
and a kind of a large tent, into which we could retire. 
About ten o'clock the people began to gather, in great 
numbers. Some on horseback and some on foot, and 

a goodly number came down the Alleghany in canoes. 

24 



282 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Here, for the first time, I met with the Rev. John 
P. Kent, who was then a smooth-faced boy, and, I 
suppose, about as polite as any young French gentle- 
man in Paris, and as kind and accommodating. He 
had a large company with him, of which he appeared 
to be the chief man. One of his company was a 
local preacher, by the name of Arnold. 

Just about the time I was going to commence 
divine service, up rode Bishop M'Kendree, as large as 
life, filled with health and animation. He had two 
preachers with him, George Harmar and brother Met- 
calf. He just took time to shake hands and ask me 
how I was, then mounted the stand and commenced 
services, in the course of which he preached one of 
his flaming and awakening sermons. Harmar ex- 
horted. We had a prayer meeting. Many tears 
were shed, and a good deal of shouting was heard. 

M'Kendree and all the preachers but myself, rode 
off to a small town called Warren, to procure refresh- 
ments. There were two places called public houses 
there, but I called them low grog-shops. The Bishop 
rode up to the first, and they played the fiddle at him. 
He went on to the next, where he made out to stay 
all night. I suppose they got their supper and some- 
thing for their horses, and left me to hold quarterly 
conference. 

I had a great deal of trouble with a local preacher 
by the name of Smith — a long-headed, tricky fellow. 
He had been suspended, by a committee, for immoral 
conduct, and his aim was to invalidate the testimony, 



LODGING — M'KENDREE. 283 

and thereby escape justice. Eli Arnold persevered, 
like a good fellow, determined to have justice done. 
After a long trial Smith was expelled by a unanimous 
vote. I preached in the evening, and held a prayer 
meeting — the congregation dispersed, and, leaving me 
a little like my divine Master, in one respect, for I 
had not where to lay my head. No one asked me to 
go with him. After wandering awhile, I found an 
old log barn, with some half-rotten hay in it. There 
I laid me down and slept till daylight. 

Before sunrise, I was invited to take breakfast on 
the bank of Alleghany river, where a number of 
people had encamped. They had neither tables nor 
chairs, but they spread their clothes on the ground. 
We worshiped God together, took a hearty break- 
fast, and conversed freely on our prospects for 
getting to another world. The congregation gathered 
early, and the preachers with them, and we had an 
excellent love -feast. There was certainly the shout 
of the king in the camp. 

That morning, I gave out preaching for eleven 
o'clock, and while the congregation was collecting 
and becoming seated, M'Kendree stood up with his 
back against a tree, and preached us a sermon about 
fifteen minutes long. The people gazed upon him 
as though he had been some heavenly visitor from 
the spirit-world. He then took the stand, and after 
singing and prayer, he held forth to great advantage 
for upward of an hour. I think his text was from 
the book of Deuteronomy, " I call heaven and earth 



284 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

to record against you, that I have set life and death, 
blessing and cursing before you : choose you this day 
life, that you and your seed may live." We had a 
short interval, and brother Harmar preached another 
sermon. I opened the door and took a number into 
the Church. 

Having dismissed the congregation, we mounted 
our horses, rode away to Brokenstraw — upward 
of twenty miles — that night, and staid with Squire 
Mead. The Bishop preached again a good little 
sermon, and we all retired to rest. 

Next morning we were visited by a deputation 
from the Presbyterian Church, setting forth with 
great dignity, that they were about to settle a 
Presbyterian minister in that place ; that they were 
hardly able to do it ; that if the congregation were 
divided they would fail ; and that there was no prob- 
ability that the Methodists could make an establish- 
ment there ; therefore, they thought we had better 
keep away. In addition to the above circumstances, 
they did not wish Methodism to be introduced into 
the country, because, in the first place, Methodists 
preached false doctrines ; in the second place, their 
Church government was not warrantable. Beside 
these, they made many other frivolous objections 
that I shall not mention. In the course of the 
conversation they became angry and very insulting, 
and said to M'Kendree, " Sir, you preached false 
doctrine here last night.'*' M'Kendree made no 
reply, but rose from his seat, and invited Squire 



M'KENDKEE ON HIS TRIAL. 285 

Mead to come into the room. He then invited us 
all in, and requested us to be seated. The room 
was pretty well filled, a good many being present. 
He then spoke to the company, saying, " These 
gentlemen have charged me with preaching false 
doctrines. It happens very fortunately there is a 
judge present, and I now set you down as jurors, 
while I make my defense." The deputation began 
to look a little alarmed, matters having taken a 
serious turn. He now called upon them to state 
the charges against him. The first charge was 
denying the doctrine of particular election. He 
then requested them to define what they meant 
by particular election and reprobation. They became 
so confused, they could not state any thing clearly. 
He very kindly stated their position for them, 
and said, "Gentlemen, is this what you mean?" 
They answered in the affirmative. He requested 
them then to go on with the argument; they turned 
to the old Confession of Faith, and he refused to be 
tried by that book, alleging the Bible was the only 
and sufficient rule both for our faith and practice. 
They became silent, and looked as though they were 
more to be pitied than envied. He then arose, and 
gave them some good fatherly advice, made some 
appropriate remarks against religious bigotry, and 
dismissed them with the benediction. 

We took our breakfast, and rode down to William 
Connelly's, Franklinton, mouth of French creek. 
Next day, we rode to Edward Crow's, Salem town- 



286 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ship, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and tarried there 
that night. 

I accompanied the Bishop to Youngstown, on the 
Western Reserve ; Harmar and Metcalf having turned 
back. From this place we went on to Steubenville. 
Here I turned my course toward Ashtabula; held 
my quarterly meeting in the court-house. Meth- 
odism was very new in that part of the country at 
that time. On Saturday and Saturday night, every 
thing went on very smoothly. 

On Sunday morning we had a pleasant love-feast. 
While I was preaching, the congregation began leav- 
ing the house — sometimes as many as nine or ten 
at a time. I could not tell what was the matter, 
but closed services as soon as I could conveniently. 
When I went to the door, I met one gentleman 
dressed in uniform, another beating the drum, 
another playing the fife, one holding a banner — ■ 
the stars and stripes flying. I asked them what all 
that meant? They told me that Hull had surren- 
dered Detroit to the British, and that nine hundred 
British and Indians were on their way down the Lake 
toward that country ; that they had no time to lose ; 
they must try to raise force enough to hold them 
in check till we could organize a militia. 

I staid all night, and tried to comfort the people 
in the best manner I could. Next day I crossed the 
Pennsylvania line, and stopped at a little kind of 
village to get our horses shod, and told the doleful 
news. Some believed it, and some did not; some 



PANIC— EXPOSTULATION. 287 

were frightened, and some were very angry. One 
man swore most profanely, loud and long. I tried 
to reason with him, and to reprove him, but to no 
advantage. He said it was right to swear, and he 
would swear ; if Hull had sworn more, he would not 
have lost Detroit. 

I rode on to Squire John Leech's, and put up 
for the night. Here I found the people greatly 
alarmed ; a good many preparing to leave the coun- 
try, and go to Pittsburg — some had actually begun 
to pack up their goods. I called them together, and 
tried to preach to them ; then endeavored to dissuade 
them from their purpose of leaving their homes, 
alleging, in the first place, that it was impossible 
for the Indians or British to get where we were, 
and that if they were still afraid, they had* better 
set up pickets and make a strong fort, than for a 
part of the families to go off and leave the rest 
exposed. The gentlemen all appeared to approve 
of the suggestion, and were well 'satisfied. 

After I had taken my seat, a large lady approached 
me with a very angry countenance and uplifted hand. 
The first word she spoke was, " Sir, I believe the 
devil sent you here to-day, for we had just, by 
much persuasion, prevailed on our husbands to go 
to Pittsburg, and now you have confirmed them 
in their old opinions, and they will not go. We 
shall be murdered, and our children — and our blood 
will be upon your head." My reply was, ! 
madam, there is no danger. She replied, " I know 



288 FIFTY TEARS IB THE ITINERANCY. 

better. We and our families are all in danger of 
being destroyed." 

I left her, clamoring away, and crossed over into 
the Western Reserve, where we had appointed a camp 
meeting ; but the news of Hull's surrender had so 
alarmed the people that they had given up holding 
any camp meeting. I, thinking they had acted very 
improperly in giving up the meeting, gave them two 
or three severe lectures, and they lectured back'; 
so we parted. 

I went on holding quarterly meetings and camp 
meetings till the first of September. I closed this 
year's labors in the vicinity of Zanesville on a camp- 
ground near Lemuel Joseph's. It was certainly a 
very poor meeting. A great many preachers were 
there on their way to conference. They did not ap- 
pear to suit the people very well, and the people did 
not suit them. 

William Lambden was preacher in charge of the 
circuit, who had fallen into considerable trouble. 
Bishop Asbury receiving wrong information by an old 
Englishman, had ordered a strange kind of investiga- 
tion. Lambden seemed to be half frightened to 
death. I made myself acquainted with the matter 
as well as I could, very promptly called a committee 
of traveling preachers, and put him on his trial be- 
fore them — Rev. Michael Ellis being foreman. The 
witnesses being present, they made a thorough inves- 
tigation, and Lambden came out as clear at a Spanish 
milled dollar. How often are innocent men injured 



CONFERENCE AT CHILLICOTHE. 289 

and ruined by artful and wicked men! I left this 
camp-ground greatly depressed in spirits and went to 
conference, which met this year in Chillicothe, Octo- 
ber 2, 1812. 

25 



290 FIFTY YEARS I >' THE ITLVEKAXCT. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

A CAMP MEETING IK CIDEV T — 1 312. 

Bishops Asbuby abb M*Kexdeee were both pres- 
ent at this conference. Five years had passed away 
since I attended conference in that place before. The 
town had become much larger, society a good deal 
improved, but I thought the Methodist Church was 
rather declining. I put up with a very pleasant 
couple by the name of Williams. 

I had endured a good deal of trouble this year in 
reaching the conference. I was nearly worn down with 
hard labor and long rides. Bishop M'Kendree's horse 
having failed. I let him take mine, and when he came to 
my house on Short creek my horse had failed entirely. 
He had to take a young horse of mine that was not 
fit to ride. However, he arrived at Chillicothe in 
company with my brother-in-law, Joseph Spahr. 

Conference opened, as usual, under favorable cir- 
cumstances. When I was placed on the Ohio district, 
in March, it belonged to the Baltimore conference. 
The General conference met in May following, and 
transferred the district, with the incumbent, to the 
Ohio conference. I had made two full rounds on the 
district before I met the Ohio conference in Chilli- 
cothe, in 1812. 



AFFRAY AT CAMP MEETING. 291 

Before I went to the above conference I was re- 
quested to meet Bishop Asbury near Uniontown, 
Penn., at a Mrs. Henthorn's. Here I found a camp 
meeting in successful operation under the pious labors 
of Jacob Gruber, John Meek, and Joshua Munroe. 
The congregation was unusually large, and on Satur- 
day evening that class of citizens termed rowdies 
were very troublesome. It put the guard to all they 
knew to keep any kind of order. 

One of the brethren being grossly insulted and 
threatened gave way to anger. Being a very strong 
man he struck one of the rowdies with a heavy cane, 
knocked him down for dead, and when he saw what 
he had done made his escape into the preachers' tent. 
The rowdies pursued him like blood-hounds, but could 
hardly keep sight of him, the crowd being so great. 
I, being on the other side of the camp-ground, did not 
know what had taken place, only I heard a dreadful 
cry. When I reached the door of the preachers' tent 
I met a number of angry men standing at the door. 
I asked them what they wanted. They said murder 
had been committed on the ground, and the murderer 
was in that tent, and they intended to have him. If 
I would not give them leave to enter peaceably they 
would enter by force. I told them I thought they 
were mistaken ; that was the preachers' tent, and 
preachers did not harbor murderers. I did not know 
that the brother who had done the deed was in the 
preachers' tent. He had entered and had the precau- 
tion to change his costume. I told them to go in and 



292 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

bring the murderer out. They entered and examined 
every man in the tent. I asked if they had found 
the murderer. They said no, but that he certainly 
was there concealed; for they had watched that door 
and had seen him go in, but had not seen him come 
out. I told them to make full search and be satisfied. 
They could not recognize him. They could make no 
discovery, but went off muttering. 

By this time they had brought the wounded man 
into Bishop Asbury's tent, and some skillful men 
were dressing the wound, which was a dreadful cut 
into the skull-bone. They stopped the blood and he 
recovered his strength a little. His friends bore him 
away and we heard no more of the matter. 

On the Sabbath we had a peaceful day. The Spirit 
appeared to be poured upon us from on high. God's 
ministers were clothed with salvation, and the saints 
shouted aloud for joy as in ancient days. 

Monday morning opened with propitious circum- 
stances. Mourners were getting converted and sin- 
ners awakened all around the camp-ground. At this 
time there was a company of soldiers rendezvous- 
ing in TTniontown, destined to march to Buffalo or 
Erie. The commanding officer addressed a note to 
the clergy on the camp-ground, expressing a wish 
that the soldiers might be addressed by one of the 
ministers before they marched. Bishop Asbury had 
an answer returned, informing him that his request 
should be complied with. 

About ten o'clock the company appeared in sight 



ASBURY TO THE TROOPS. 293 

of the camp-ground, dressed in uniform — the com- 
manding officer at their head, surrounded by his staff. 
Asbury had previously arranged the seats for their 
accommodation. The commanding officer had his 
seat near the stand. He then sent two brethren to 
conduct them into the camp-ground. They made a 
very imposing appearance. I might say thousands 
of eyes were gazing upon them, and I have no doubt 
but hundreds of prayers were ascending up to the 
mercy-seat in their behalf. 

The Bishop sung an appropriate hymn and made a 
suitable prayer for the occasion, and, though he was 
said to be a British subject, he did not pray for the 
English king, but he prayed most devoutly for the 
President of the United States — the cabinet — senate, 
and lower house. He arose then and read his 
text, Luke iii, 14: "And the soldiers likewise de- 
manded of him, saying, And what shall we do? 
And he said unto them, do violence to no man, 
neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your 
wages." 

In his introductory remarks he dwelt clearly on 
the great evils of war — its deleterious influence on 
the commerce and wealth of nations, but more so on 
the religious morals and happiness of nations ; and, 
that it ought to be avoided, if possible — that a decla- 
ration of war should be the last resort — that all other 
suitable means should be tried previous to war; and, 
that, if Christian nations went to war, it should 
always be on the defensive. In the course of his 



294 FIFTY TEARS IK THE ITINERANCY. 

sermon he showed the vast importance of good dis- 
cipline in an army — that the government of necessity 
must be strict, but ought to be mild, and that the 
officers should see that the soldiers were well fed and 
clothed. In a word, he said, the commanding officer 
should be a father to the soldiers — that the soldiers 
should be obedient, never doing violence to citizens 
or any other people where they were stationed — 
that they should avoid all false accusations, which 
always proved destructive in armies, and avoid dis- 
content or murmuring, which led to mutiny. 

On the whole, I will say it was an admirable sermon. 
He then took his stand on the north part of the camp- 
ground, and the soldiers marched out before him. 
He laid his hand on the head of the commanding 
officer — prayed for him devoutly, and gave him fath- 
erly advice — tears flowed abundantly. The Bishop 
stood there till he shook hands with every soldier in 
the company. 

They marched away — many of the poor fellows 
never returned again. We closed this delightful 
camp meeting with all convenient speed — rode away 
out into Ohio, where we had a camp meeting pending, 
in Harrison county, near Cadiz. This camp meeting 
opened under auspicious circumstances on Thursday. 
Many of the strong men of Israel were on the 
ground — Jacob Gruber, James B. Finley, A. M'Elroy, 
M. Ellis, and many more whose names I can not now 
recollect. Nothing out of the common order took 
place till Saturday night. The rowdies began to act 



ASBURY TO THE ROWDIES. 295 

a good deal as they had done in Pennsylvania, the 
week before. They kept pretty quiet during the ser- 
mon, and when the mourners were called for, there 
was a vast crowd pressed to the altar. Then the dis- 
order commenced in almost every part of the camp ■ 
ground. During the prayer meeting, which lasted 
very long, we had a great deal of trouble. 

About twelve o'clock the venerable Asbury ap- 
peared on the stand, which was a very unusual thing 
for him. I never knew him to do the like before, at 
such a late hour of the night. He commenced 
exhorting amidst the noise and confusion. His deep- 
toned, mellow-bass voice, sounded like a dulcimer, all 
over the camp-ground. In less than fifteen minutes, 
we had almost entire silence, and hundreds pressing 
to the stand, as near as possible, that they might hear. 
After saying a number of kind things to the congre- 
gation, he said to that part whom we denominate row- 
dies, " You may be in great danger from a quarter 
you little suspect. It is true the Methodists are not 
a fighting people, but they are not all sanctified — 
they may be provoked to retaliate, and they are very 
numerous on this ground. If it should come to that, 
you will get the worst of the battle. I attended a 
camp meeting, last week, in Pennsylvania, where the 
people were behaving a good deal as you have been 
to-night. One of the guard struck a man with a 
heavy cane, and knocked him down. They thought 
he was killed, but he recovered. His head was cut 
into the skull-bone, and he was very severely injured. 



296 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY.' 

But they brought him into my tent and dressed his 
wounds." 

After giving them a few words more of fatherly 
advice, he left the stand. We had a very quiet night. 
Our camp meeting was pretty prosperous throughout, 
and wound up on Tuesday morning. Having finished 
these narratives, I return to the conference. 



CONFERENCE— A SAD CASE. 297 



CHAPTER XX. 

OHIO DISTRICT — CONTINUED. — 1812. 

The conference opened at eight o'clock, Bishop 
Asbury in the chair. I rejoiced in spirit to find my- 
self at home again, in the Western conference. I had 
been gone from them two years. The conference had 
become very large, and there was a full attendance; 
the preachers seemed filled with the spirit of their 
divine Master, ready to do the work of evangelists, 
and to make full proof of their ministry. They re- 
ceived me as the Lord's messenger, and I was happy. 
The business of the conference progressed in great 
harmony, till the third day, when the case of an un- 
fortunate brother gave us great pain. He was found 
guilty and expelled from the Church. This case 
gave the conference great sorrow of heart, for he had 
been eminently useful. During the time he had trav- 
eled, he had taken upward of two thousand souls 
into the Church. His case was among the things I 
can not understand. I leave him in the hands of his 
God. The great Judge of all the earth will do right. 
This was truly a delightful conference, notwithstand- 
ing that dark day in the middle of it. I think there 
were many souls converted in the town during its 
session. 



298 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

I was reappointed to the same district, and took 
my departure in company with many valuable friends, 
among whom were James B. Finley, Abel Robin- 
son, and my beloved brother-in-law, Joseph Spahr. 
This was the last time I ever enjoyed his company. 
He was just admitted on trial, sent to the Marietta 
circuit, finished his year's labor with great accepta- 
bility and usefulness, started home to his father's 
house, but died on the way. He was truly a lovely 
young man. I lamented his loss greatly, but am 
persuaded my loss was his eternal gain. 

I passed through St. Clairsville on my way home, 
and left an appointment for a two days' meeting. 
Here I began my second year's labor, on this pleas- 
ant district. I went from this meeting to my own 
little habitation, spent a few days in great comfort, 
left my family in easy circumstances, and took my 
long tour toward the Lake. I found the district more 
comfortable this year than it was last. I held my first 
quarterly meeting in Steubenville. Brethren Knox 
&nd Robinson, circuit preachers — Finley and Hall 
came to our assistance. I then took my regular 
round. Nothing very worthy of remark took place 
during this entire round, only that the Lord was with 
us in nearly all our public and private exercises. 
This was a year of great peace and prosperity, but 
our success was not quite equal to last year. On my 
second round I found all the preachers at their work, 
faithful — blessed with fine health, and the Lord was 
with them in the power of the Holy Spirit. On some 



STERN WINTER — GENIAL SPRING. 299 

of the circuits, revivals were very extensive, and 
many were converted. 

As far as temporalities were concerned, we began 
to feel the effects of hard times. War between the 
United States and Great Britain was progressing. 
Provisions of all kinds were very high. Flour in 
some parts of the district was sixteen dollars per 
barrel, and all other provisions in proportion. The 
more money people gained, the less disposed they 
felt to pay quarterage. At times we felt discouraged, 
and some thought of retiring from the work, but their 
courage revived again, their wives were zealous for the 
good cause, and exhorted their husbands to weather 
the storm. Winter months came on — snow fell deep, 
weather extremely cold — sometimes we had not much 
to eat, and suffered greatly at night for bed-clothes. 
I was much puzzled to find my way from one settle- 
ment to another. Sometimes I was in danger of being 
lost and lying out all night, but, by the good provi- 
dence of God, I always found shelter. Spring opened 
about the time I commenced my third round. The 
snow and ice melted, and streams of water ran down. 
The weather was clear and delightful. As well as I 
now recollect, we had no special revivals on this 
round, but the Churches were edified and built up in 
their most holy faith. One spirit seemed to actuate 
the whole ministry, and frequently, when I would 
leave one circuit, the preacher would go with me to 
'the next quarterly meeting, and sometimes lay mem- 
bers would pilot me through the unsettled parts of 



300 FIFTY TEARS IB THE ITIXERAXCY. 

tlie country. I never shall forget the acts of Chris- 
tian friendship shown to me by preachers and people 
on that district. Sometimes I was sorry they were 
so much deceived, for I knew I was not a very good 
man; but if I had been as holy as John Fletcher, 
they could not have treated me any better than they 
did. I closed my third round much to my satisfac- 
tion, and, as far as I know, to the satisfaction of all 
concerned. 

The last quarter of the year was made up mostly 
of camp meetings, which were attended with great 
displays of the Divine power. Some of the preachers 
on the district were real camp meeting men. Such 
as James B. Finley, Abel Robinson, James Watts, 
Lewis R. Fectic, then stationed in Pittsburg, ren- 
dered us great assistance. Gruber, on the other side 
of the Ohio, helped us very much. 

Time would fail to give a minute account of all the 
camp meetings during this round. I will, therefore, 
confine myself particularly to one held on French 
creek, near Meadville. The people in that section 
appeared to be both hungry and thirsty for camp 
meeting. They selected a beautiful spot of ground, 
and built a great many very comfortable tents. The 
congregation was very large on the first day. Many 
ministers were present. 

Bishop M'Kendree was with us and preached every 
day, and took a lively interest in our night meetings. 
The literati of Meadville were nearly ail in attend- 
ance. General Mead himself made one of the com- 



i 



CAMP MEETING NEAR MEADVILLE. 301 

pany. They were delighted above measure with the 
Bishop's preaching. The rowdies, as we then called 
them, began to behave disorderly on Saturday, in the 
afternoon. I took the usual course to preserve order, 
reading the rules, expounding them, and then used 
my influence by walking round the congregation, 
using moral suasion as I went along to every one, 
gentle and simple. 

In one of my rounds I was met by two gentlemen 
from Meadville, who requested me to give myself no 
more trouble about keeping order, but carry on the 
religious exercises as we had been doing, and they 
would preserve order throughout the congregation. 
Old General Mead went on the stand and requested 
the people to be orderly, showing them the conse- 
quences if they did not comply with the rules. "We 
had no more trouble during the meeting. The good 
work of the Lord went on with very little intermission 
day and night. Many professed to be converted. 
Backsliders were reclaimed, and the Church edified. 
Sabbath was a great day. The Bishop gave us the 
Lord's supper. The Lord honored his table by pour- 
ing his Spirit on the congregation. 

We continued the meeting with success till Tues- 
day morning, then the Bishop gave us his valedic- 
tory. We closed the meeting under pleasing circum- 
stances, took our departure, rode to John Leech's, 
where the Bishop preached to a small congregation, 
Wednesday, then rode on to a camp meeting on a 
hill above Sewickly Bottom, about sixteen miles north- 



302 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

west of Pittsburg. John Swartswalder and others 
"were present. To our chagrin and great mortification, 
we had a very barren time. The people made great 
preparations and the preachers preached well, but to 
all appearance very little good was done. This with- 
drawal of the Divine presence was a mystery to some, 

but it was nothing strange to me. I had been accus- 
es © 

tomed to such visitations from the earliest days of 
my ministry; sometimes when I had been the most 
engaged the Lord had appeared to leave me in dark- 
ness. These visitations from the Almighty were nec- 
essary in order to humble my proud heart, but they 
have always been followed with times of refreshing 
from the presence of the Lord. 

Here I closed another year's labor in the vineyard 
of my Lord and Master. I set out for conference 
in company with my beloved Bishop. We had a 
pleasant ride through the hill country, between 
Pittsburg and Steubenville, where the conference 
was to be held for the first time. The Bishop and 
some of the preachers halted on the way, and I went 
on to make arrangements for their reception. 

At this time, Methodism was a new thing in 
Steubenville, and I had enough to do to find places 
to station all the preachers, during the session of 
the conference. I went to work with all speed; 
assisted my beloved J. B. Finley ; and had every 
thing fixed much to our own satisfaction. I had 
told Bishop M'Kendree before that he was to lodge 
at Robert Hale's. I suppose he had forgotten it, 



APPOINTMENTS FOE LODGING. 303 

for when he came to town, he rode up on the com- 
mons, and alighted from his horse. Just about 
this time, a large company of preachers came riding 
up, and demanded of me very promptly where they 
were to lodge, and seemed a little inclined to be 
contrary. Pinley had the list of appointments in 
his hand, and I passed on to speak to the Bishop. I 
asked him how he was ; he replied, " Better in 
health than in good condition." I asked him what 
was the matter with his condition ; he replied, " I 
have no place to go to." I thought he reproved me 
when I did not deserve it. The other preachers 
were clamoring about their appointments. I became 
a little out of temper, and according to my usual 
custom, I repelled their charges with a good deal 
of energy. They all appeared to quail under it, 
and became very pleasant. Finley took the Bishop 
by his arm, leading his horse, and conveyed him to 
his lodging-place. We accommodated them all. 

I walked down to the Bishop's room ; found him 
in an excellent apartment — every thing, I believe, 
just about as he would wish to have it. Mrs. Hale 
was a first-rate Baltimore lady, and knew exactly 
how to treat such a gentleman as Bishop M'Kendree. 
I expected to receive a lecture from him, but found 
him in a remarkably good humor. I attempted to 
make an apology for my harsh speeches on the 
commons, but he would not listen to it, but laid 
his hands on my head and shoulders and spoke very 
comfortable words to me. 



304 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

About this time Bishop Asbury came to town. 
This was the first time he had ever been there. We 
were at a loss to know where to station him; but 
he drove through without speaking to any one, and 
stopped at Bazileel Wells's. This was a very gay 
family — not one Methodist about the house. Wells 
was a gentleman of high order, had been brought 
up in the city of Baltimore, was well acquainted with 
the character of Bishop Asbury, received him with 
great cordiality, and the whole family appeared to 
be delighted above measure with the good old Bishop. 
The strong men of Israel began to gather, such as 
Asa Shinn, Samuel Parker, David Young, John Col- 
lins, Marcus Lindsey, Alexander Cummings, and 
many others equally pious and talented. The people 
of the town received the ministers as the Lord's 
messengers. They all had comfortable homes and 
enjoyed their minds well. We had a new brick 
house, just completed, finished in plain, neat style, 
and very comfortable. 



CONFERENCE-AWAKENINGS. 305 



CHAPTER XXI. 

OHIO DISTRICT — CONTINUED.— 1813-1815. 

The conference opened on Wednesday, October, 
1813,_at eight o'clock, Bishop Asbury in the chair. 
We sat with closed doors in those days. Conference 
was large, and the house pretty well filled with 
preachers. The Bishop opened the conference with 
reading the Scriptures, singing, and prayer ; he then 
gave us a very appropriate lecture, which was his 
usual custom in annual conferences. 

We determined to make the conference as useful 
as possible to the people. In order for this, we 
made arrangements for public services, erected a 
stand in Wells's sugar orchard — where we had 
preaching three times a day during the whole ses- 
sion of the conference — followed by exhortations 
and prayer meetings. We had seats to accommodate 
about a thousand people, and every body went to 
meeting. Many were awakened, and pressed to the 
altar of prayer — among the mourners was the eldest 
daughter of Bazileel Wells. Congregations were 
large, and many persons thronged around the stand. 
Many of the gentlemen became alarmed for the safety 
of Miss Wells — told her father he ought to interfere, 

and take her out of the crowd. He was standing 

2G 



306 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

by a little sugar-tree, looking on. He smiled sig- 
nificantly, and replied, " I will hold the Methodists 
responsible for her ; if they kill her, they shall bring 
her to life." It was not long till the Lord converted 
her soul, and she went home shouting with her father. 

The conference moved on rapidly with their busi- 
ness. The character of the preachers all stood fair — 
no complaint against any of them. The conference 
admitted a great many young men on trial this year. 
The Sabbath was a great day of the outpouring of 
the Holy Ghost. The bishops both preached in the 
sugar grove — M'Kendree at nine o'clock, Asbury 
at eleven, and then the venerable men administered 
the sacrament of the Lord's supper. 

The doings of this day were heard very far off, 
and the men and women never can forget the labors 
of our venerable bishops. But it is a melancholy 
thought, that the thousands that thronged around 
them are now cold in their graves. The bishops are 
both dead, and nearly all the members that composed 
that conference have gone to the spirit-land. I am 
left a lonely wanderer. 

At this time, God had given me a lovely son. 
At the request of my friends, I brought him into 
the conference-room, and Bishop Asbury baptized 
him, calling his name William M'Kendree. My 
pious, weeping wife stood at the altar, and received 
her son from the arms of the Bishop. Mother and 
son have long since gone to their eternal home. 

Conference closed on Wednesday, and the appoint- 



DEATH OF JOSEPH SPAHR. 307. 

ments were read with open doors. Many appeared 
to be deeply awakened at the close of conference ; 
one of the penitents was a Mrs. Howe, who had 
been reared in high life in Pittsburg. She was 
brought under conviction and fell from her seat, and 
sent for me to pray with and for her. When I 
arose from my knees, the preachers were all gone. 

At this conference, I received the melancholy 
intelligence of the death of my brother-in-law, 
Joseph Spahr. He had finished his year's labor on 
Marietta circuit, and on his way home, stopped at 
the residence of the late Squire Hamilton, where 
he sickened and died. He now rests in the cemetery 
near Zanesville — no stone tells where the good man 
lies, but God looks down and watches all his dust, 
till he shall bid it rise. 

I left my weeping friends in the meeting-house, 
and rode home with my wife and little son to our 
small habitation fifteen miles south of Steubenville. 
I rested a few days — I think about two weeks — in 
order to recruit my strength. Reappointed to the 
same district, I commenced my quarterly meetings 
as early as I conveniently could. I began this year's 
labor in Barnesville. The Church was in a state of 
great prosperity on the circuit at that time. The 
district remained in pretty much the same form it 
was last year : Shenango, James Watts ; Erie, John 
Graham ; Trumbull's, James M'Mehan ; Grand River, 
John M'Mehan, Robert Hatton ; Beaver, Jacob Gos- 
well; Barnesville, Archibald M'Elroy; Cross Creek, 



308 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Abel Robinson, William Knox; West Wheeling, 
James B. Finley. 

I pursued my regular round. By the time I came 
to Erie, on the Lake, the weather had become intensely 
cold. The war was still going on between England 
and the United States. The people were stilj. very 
uneasy along the Lake shore, more than half way 
down toward Pittsburg. They had not recovered 
from the panic of last year, occasioned by Hull's 
surrender of Detroit; and, to highten our trouble 
through the country, the fever had broken out in the 
camp at Black Bock, run up the Lake, and spread 
out through the country. They called it the cold 
plague. It was far worse than either the British or 
Indians. There was no guarding against it. It was 
almost as bad as the cholera in later days. The doc- 
tors did not understand it. The first they would do 
was to bleed, and I know of but one but that died 
soon after blood-letting. It made its appearance in 
Hartford, Trumbull county, Ohio. The first that fell 
a victim to it in that place was an eminent minister, 
by the name of Crosby. I preached his funeral ser- 
mon, and buried him. I went on to the town of 
Burton, returned the next week to Hartford, and found 
another of the old citizens lying a corpse — preached 
his funeral, and buried him. Went to Youngstown, 
and held my quarterly meeting, then, by the way of 
Canfield and Lisbon, to Steubenville — found the cold 
plague spreading in every direction; it was nearly as 
bad in Wheeling as in Meadville. It spread through- 



A TIME OF SCAECITY. 309 

out the great western valley, and carried thousands 
of our fellow-citizens to their graves. 

This was, in some respects, a dreadful winter. The 
war still raged furiously, and all kinds of provisions 
were scarce and high. I suppose many poor people 
suffered for want of bread. 

The people were so much taken up with war and 
politics, that they lost their zeal in the cause of God. 
I suffered more with cold this winter than ever before. 
Sometimes, I would have to give fifty cents for a peck 
of oats, to feed my weary horse, and I have paid as 
high as four dollars for getting my horse shod. I 
was often entirely out of money, but some one always 
took compassion upon me and supplied my wants. 
Winter was long and cold; but, finally, spring came 
on. I commenced my third round under more favor- 
able circumstances, but we had but little revival in- 
fluence during the whole year. Yet peace and pros- 
perity was in the Church. The God of love and 
peace was with us. 

During this round, I found the people very much 
straitened for breadstuff, and some actually suffering. 
This gave the wealthy an opportunity to take advant- 
age of the poor, for these were times of great specu- 
lation. The rich were made richer, and the poor 
poorer. But, still, we had some benevolent men 
among us. 

I will give two cases, which will represent the 
whole. In these hard times, I preached, one day, in 
the house of a local preacher, and bore down pretty 



310 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

hard on extortioners, especially on those who took 
advantage of the poor in the article of breadstuff. 
Meeting over, the congregation retired. The brother 
came and took his seat by my side, and said to me, 
"You have this day partly ruined me. for I have 
been selling corn for two dollars per bushel, and the 
people have all been censuring me. Now they will 
be worse than ever.' 5 We debated the case all the 
afternoon. I think he relented some, and I left him 
in a very good humor. 

Another case I will mention, that took place on the 
"Western Keserve. A Methodist brother had some 
flour on hand for sale, which he disposed of to certain 
persons, and took their notes, to be paid in rye, after 
harvest — twenty- six bushels of rye for a barrel of 
flour. "When he received the rye, after harvest, he 
turned it into whisky, at three gallons per bushel, 
took that whisky to the army, and sold it for three 
dollars per gallon, getting in the neighborhood of two 
hundred dollars for a barrel of flour. 

I will now give a case of another kind. My old 
colleague, Thomas Church, had located, and gone to 
farming. This year, he had on hand a large crop of 
excellent corn, and sold it out to his poor neighbors 
for three bushels per dollar: and when they had no 
money, he took work for his corn. This shows the 
truth of one of the wise sayings of Solomon, '-The 
righteous is more excellent than his neighbor." 

I commenced my fourth round early in the summer. 
During this round, we held many camp meetings — 



"HELP THOSE WOMEN." 311 

one on that favorite spot, on French creek, near 
Meadville, where I had had a glorious camp meeting 
the year before. I rode to the meeting in company 
with Joseph and Matilda Crow, of precious memory. 
I had heard, previous to this, that that part of Hol- 
land Purchase lying west of the Cattaraugus, was 
destitute of preaching. They had been supplied, for 
several years, from the Genesee conference. The 
preachers had become discouraged, and left them 
destitute. Some of the young people in that part 
of the country attended our camp meeting: two 
young men — one by the name of Bevins, the other 
Mather — with three young ladies, Anna Kent, and 
two Misses Smith. They came to see if we could not 
supply them with preaching. Miss Kent seemed to 
be the chief speaker. They were resolved to take no 
denial — they must and would have a preacher. The 
work of the Lord was going on, and they wanted a 
preacher to take charge of it. They entered into 
the spirit of the work, and were very useful among 
us. The Lord was pleased to give us another good 
camp meeting, but not quite equal to the one the 
year before. I sent on a preacher to reconnoiter the 
ground, and report to the ensuing conference. He 
reported favorably, and it was taken into the Ohio 
conference, and added to the Ohio district. 

Our annual conference met this year at Cincinnati. 
I rode from Steubenville to Cincinnati with a large 
company of preachers, mostly young men in good 
health, full of life and animation. I stopped at my 



312 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

own little log-house as we went along. My pious 
wife had every thing in ample order for our reception. 
Water-melons and other excellent fruit we had in 
great abundance. The preachers enjoyed what might 
be called a religious hilarity. 

We rode the next day to St. Clairsville, where we 
took dinner, and found the town under a revival influ- 
ence. They were rejoiced to see so many of the 
Lord's ministers, but we had not time to stay; but a 
few hours ride brought us to Barnesville. Here, also, 
there was a good revival influence going on. I think 
we had preaching that night, and our souls were much 
refreshed. We traveled on to conference, holding 
meeting every night till we came to Cincinnati ; found 
Bishop Asbury there in very feeble health. Bishop 
M'Kendree had been thrown from his horse and was 
crippled. We did not expect he would be there. 



CASE OF WILLIAM BURKE. 313 



CHAPTER XXII. 

REAPPOINTMENT TO THE OHIO DIS TRICT — 1814. 

Conference opened under a rather gloomy aspect. 
There were several very troublesome cases to attend 
to, and the Bishop was too unwell to give them that 
attention they deserved. The Rev. William Burke 
had been suspended the year before, and he now came 
up to have his case adjusted. Burke's case was man- 
aged very injudiciously. He had been tried and sus- 
pended for treating the elder with contempt. The 
conference had suspended him for one year. He 
submitted to it cheerfully, and, as he thought, had 
suffered the penalty of the law. He came and took 
his seat as usual. Asbury being sick, and M'Ken- 
dree not there, the acting president did not know 
how to manage the case, but requested Burke to 
retire. 

This I regard as the ruin of William Burke. Pre- 
viously to this time he had been a great and good 
Methodist. He had done and suffered as much for 
the cause of Methodism as any man in the great west. 
His controversy with the elder was about a very small 
matter, involving nothing like immorality, and by bad 
management, on the part of the conference, more 

than on Burke's part, it terminated in his expulsion 

27 



SI4 FIFTY TEAKS IX THE ITINEKANCY. 

from the Church. I had a perfect knowledge of this 
entire case from first to last, and rejoice to leave it as 
niv dying testimony that the conference was more to 
blame than "William Burke. It is true he was restored 
again to membership after he had lived out of the 
Church twenty long, gloomy years; but he never was 
the same man afterward. I pretend not to say Burke 
was a faultless man : he had faults and many faults ; 
but in his heart he was a man of God. I have loved 
him long, and love him now that he has passed away 
to his home in heaven. 

I had a great deal to do at this conference, and for 
several days and nights I felt like sinking under my 
burden ; but just when things appeared to be coming 
to the very worst, the great and good M'Kendree 
made his appearance in the conference-room. He 
appeared to take hold of all the tangled matters just 
right, and closed them in the very best manner he 
could. I was reappointed to the Ohio district. Bishop 
M'Kendree was very lame. I put him on my fine 
pacing horse, and went with him to Shelbyville, in 
Kentucky. David Young was in our company. He 
was then strong and active, and took great delight in 
caring for the afflicted Bishop. I had an appointment 
to preach in Shelbyville, and the Bishop took my 
place. The court, being then in session, adjourned, 
and the judges and lawyers came to hear the Bishop 
preach — we had an excellent sermon. David Young 
gave one of his masterly exhortations, after which we 
closed meeting, went down to the house where we put 



LAST VISIT TO PARENTS. 315 

up, and took an excellent dinner, served up by the 
skillful hands of my friend, Matilda Crow. 

This was the last time I ever visited the Crow 
family. I have met with many kind families; but 
such a family as Edward Crow's I never met before, 
and I shall never look on the like again. 

From this place I went to see my father and mother, 
and found them in a helpless condition. Their chil- 
dren were nearly all married and gone their way — no 
one to help them, and they were unable to help them- 
selves. I staid with them several days, tried to build 
them up and do all for them I could, and left them 
with an aching heart. Little did I think that was the 
last time I should ever see them; but so it turned 
out, and before I returned to Kentucky again they 
had gone to their reward, leaving a bright testimony 
behind that they were going home to heaven. I rode 
home with all convenient speed, and laid in wood and 
other necessaries for the use of my family during the 
approaching winter. I commenced my quarterly 
meetings, first round, as near as I now recollect, on 
West Wheeling circuit; Abel Robinson preacher in 
charge, his colleague's name I have forgotten. Rob- 
inson appeared to feel like a true missionary of the 
cross of Christ. His praise was in all the Churches ; 
but, poor man, he soon failed. 

I began my third round of quarterly meetings in 
fine health and good spirits, till I came to the Maho- 
ning river ; here I was attacked with fever and ague. 
I traveled on, grappled with the disease, and preached 



316 FIFTY YEAES IN THE ITIXERAXCY. 

almost every day till I reached Warrentown, Trumbull 
county; there I had to halt and send for the doctor. 
My next quarterly meeting "was in the town of Bur- 
ton; and as my labors had always been wonderfully 
blessed in that place, I could not think of missing 
the meeting. I told the doctor I wanted him to break 
the fever as soon as he possibly could. 

On Thursday evening I took a large dose of calo- 
mel, followed by a large portion of jalap. On Friday 
morning I obtained a quart of port wine, four ounces 
of genuine Peruvian red bark, mounted my horse very 
early in the morning, took a large portion of wine 
and bark every two hours, rode thirty-two miles, 
preached at night, went through the labors of the 
quarterly meeting with comfort ; and, the best of all, 
God was with us. 

On Tuesday morning I went on my way rejoicing, 
and was troubled no more with ague that year. Noth- 
ing remarkable took place during this round. 

I commenced my fourth round under more auspi- 
cious circumstances. Our quarterly meetings were 
attended with great displays of the goodness and 
mercy of God. 

As I was preparing to leave the district, it became 
my duty to make a close and thorough examination 
relative to the Church in every department. First, 
in regard to the number of Church members. I com- 
pared our numerical strength to what it was when I 
came on, and found it, I think, nearly double — our 
congregations more than doubled ; the attendance 



BISHOP ASBUB.Y DECLINING. 317 

in class meetings greatly improved — family religion 
was on the advance; our preachers appeared to live 
more holy, and to preach with more zeal and under- 
standing. I may say, in truth, the district, in every 
respect, was in a better condition than when I came 
on it. I looked back with renewed satisfaction on 
the three years and six months I spent on this rough 
but delightful field of labor. 

The bishops highly approved of my administration 
and pulpit labors. This information I received from 
their own lips. With very few exceptions I had 
the confidence and esteem of all the preachers, both 
local and traveling. The private members of the 
Church treated me universally with great respect. 
These were years both of pleasure and profit to my 
own soul. I shall never forget them through life, and 
I hope they will be remembered in eternity. 

I finished my fourth round of quarterly meetings 
and prepared to go to conference, which this year, 
1815, set in Lebanon, Ohio. The bishops were both 
present. Bishop Asbury, in very feeble health, was 
not able to walk or stand alone. The Rev. John 
Bond had the charge of him, carried him in his arms 
like a little child, set him in his carriage when he 
wished to travel, and took him out in the same way 
when he wished to stop. He was seated on the plat- 
form in the conference-room, called on brother Bond 
to read a chapter and give out a hymn, and then this 
great man of God prayed, sitting on his seat, for he 
was not able to kneel down. He prayed as if speak- 



318 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ing to God face to face. While gazing on his pale 
face my emotions were painful yet pleasant. I saw 
that Asbury's work was done, and that he was going 
home to God. He was truly an apostolic man, sent 
of God on a special mission to these United States. 
He had done his work, and done it well. Although 
the Methodist Church had many great and good teach- 
ers, she had but one father under God, and that was 
Francis Asbury. 

Bishop M'Kendree took charge of the business of 
the conference, and all things moved on briskly, as 
was generally the case under his administration. 
The conference was very large. The preachers all 
appeared to be in fellowship one with another. They 
were under an extraordinary religious influence, which 
pervaded the whole conference. Although Bishop 
Asbury was not able to stand alone, he was determ- 
ined to station the preachers once more. The elders 
were very kind to him, and gave him all the help he 
needed. He made the appointments with a great 
deal of caution, and prayed much before he would 
have any man's name written on the list. 

He preached on Sabbath, in the market-house, to a 
very large congregation, and, to my astonishment, 
almost every one could hear him distinctly. Not able 
to stand, he sat and preached from his carriage. This 
was the last sermon I ever heard from his sanctified 
lips, and, at the close of this conference, I parted 
with him for the last time. 0, Asbury, I loved thee 
in life — I love thee now thou art in heaven ! 



ELECTION OF DELEGATES. 319 

On Monday we elected our delegates to the General 
conference. The preachers felt great anxiety, but no 
electioneering was done. We elected nearly the 
whole delegation at the first balloting ; they were a 
body of self-sacrificing men, such as John Sale, Sam- 
uel Parker, Charles Holliday, David Young, Marcus 
Lindsey, and Jacob Young. I was appointed this 
year to the Muskingum district, and David Young to 
the Ohio district. As we both had to go to General 
conference in the spring, and, as my four years on the 
Ohio district would not expire till spring, the Bishop 
told us we need not change districts till we returned 
from General conference. So I went back with great 
delight to my old district. I was glad to meet my 
old friends, so unexpectedly, and they appeared glad 
to see me again. 

I passed the autumn and winter on the Ohio dis- 
trict, to the mutual satisfaction of myself and the 
Lord's people — closed my second round early in 
March, and, in the month of April, we repaired to 
the city of Baltimore, to attend the General con- 
ference. 



320 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE — 1816. 

I traveled part of the way alone — spent a day 
and a night in the town of Washington, Pennsylvania, 
with my long-tried friend, James Shannon. Mr. 
Robert Hazlet and wife — with many other good 
friends — clustered round me, as though I had risen 
from the dead. From thence I went to Brownsville, 
where I once had one of the best revivals I ever saw. 
Thence to Uniontown, where I fell in with a merchant 
going to Baltimore, for goods — a special friend of 
mine. We crossed the Mountains by ourselves, and 
had a very pleasant journey. At Fredericktown, 
Maryland, I fell in with several other delegates, and 
we rode into the city of Baltimore together. This 
was the first General conference for me. The busi- 
ness was all new to me, and I felt greatly embar- 
rassed in my own mind, before I entered upon it. 
They gave me an excellent boarding-place, with Cap- 
tain John Berry, and his pious wife Harriet; and, 
if I had been an apostle, they could not have treated 
me with greater kindness. My room-mate was the 
Rev. William Kennedy, of South Carolina. I went 
into the conference-room, resolved to keep my seat 
and say nothing, and satisfy my conscience by merely 



NOVELTY — DIVIDING LINE. 321 

voting; for there were a great many men there who 
appeared very learned — such as William Ryland, 
Nathan Bangs, Martin Ruter, Hillard Judge, Ezekiel 
Cooper, Samuel Merwin, George Pickering, John 
Emory, and Robert R. Roberts; these men were the 
master-spirits of that august assembly. The first day 
I felt quite out of my place, and would much rather 
have been preaching in some lonely log-cabin, under 
the shade of the Cumberland Mountains, in East 
Tennessee, than to have been a member of a General 
conference, in the splendid city of Baltimore. Eor 
the first two or three days I was very silent, but mat- 
ters soon came before the conference in which I felt a 
deep interest. 

The first thing which aroused me was the fixing of 
the line between the Western and the Baltimore con- 
ferences. That part of Pennsylvania that lay north- 
west of the Ohio and the Alleghany rivers, and part 
of the state of Ohio, had formerly belonged to the 
Baltimore conference, and had recently been attached 
to the Western conference. The district that I trav- 
eled, the last four years, lay mostly on that ground, 
which, as I have said before, was sparsely populated ; 
and, as is the case with all thinly-settled countries, 
they were not very well prepared to support minis- 
ters. As they were about to give us the poorest part 
of the territory of the Baltimore conference, I con- 
tended that we should have some of the rich territory. 
I moved that the Alleghany Mountains should be the 
dividing line, instead of the Ohio and Alleghany 



322 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

rivers. This sprung the Rev. R. R. Roberts, who 
was then a member of the Baltimore conference. He 
made an eloquent speech on the occasion, and closed 
his speech by saying, that as the Baltimore conference 
had been very kind to the Western conference, and 
had given her a great deal of territory, he thought it 
was now time to stop — they needed all the ground 
they had for their own use. In my reply, I admitted 
they had given us a great deal of territory, but it 
was the poorest part they had, and, if they desired, 
we would be glad to give all back. I made a motion 
to that effect — seconded by George Pickering; but 
they moved to lay it over, so the debate ended. 

It will be remembered, that, in the March pre- 
ceding the sitting of the conference, Bishop Asbury 
died, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Bishop M'Ken- 
dree was left alone. He was in a very poor state of 
health, but he presided with great dignity, and at- 
tended to the business of the conference satisfactorily, 
and with great rapidity. One of the first things that 
claimed attention was the funeral of Bishop Asbury. 
The conference passed a resolution that his remains 
should be removed from Fredericksburg, to the city 
of Baltimore. The committee was appointed to pre- 
pare a vault under the recess of the Eutaw Church. 
Another committee was appointed to go to Freder- 
icksburg and convey the remains of the Bishop to 
Baltimore, and the day was fixed upon for the 
funeral. The committees attended to their business 
very promptly, and in a manner that met the appro- 



FUNERAL OF BISHOP ASBURY. 323 

bation of the conference, entirely. The time for the 
funeral services arrived. The body of the departed 
Bishop was brought into Light-Street Church, and 
laid just before the altar. Every thing was done in 
good taste. The city appeared to be all in commo- 
tion, and a great crowd was present at the funeral. 
The funeral sermon was preached by Dr. Black, of 
the British conference. The procession was then 
formed at the door of the church, Bishop M'Kendree 
and Dr. Black walking in front of the coffin. The 
members of the General conference fell in the rear 
next to the corpse ; clergymen of other denominations 
followed; then members of the Church, with other 
citizens, as suited them. This was the largest pro- 
cession I ever saw. I attended General Winder's 
funeral, in that same city, which was said to be the 
largest ever known in the city, but I think the Bish- 
op's was the larger of the two. 

The funeral services over, the members of the con- 
ference repaired to their boarding-houses, to take 
some refreshments and rest. The next day, they re- 
sumed the business of the conference, Bishop M'Ken- 
dree in the chair. The common committees had been 
all appointed, and soon began to report. I do not 
recollect what committee reported first, but when the 
committee on the Episcopacy reported, they recom- 
mended to strengthen the Episcopacy, by the election 
and ordaining of two bishops, which was agreed to 
by the conference. At this time, the resolution was 
offered to have the presiding elders elected by the 



324 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

conference, instead of appointed by the bishops. 
This gave rise to spirited debates, long and loud, 
which lasted some days. Many of the strong men 
of Israel were in favor of the resolution — Robert 
R. Roberts, Nathan Bangs, Daniel Ostrander, Enoch 
George, John Emory, Elijah Hedding, James Smith, 
and others. The strength of the conference appeared 
to be on that side. Nicholas Sneethen and Dr. Jen- 
nings were lobby members, working on the outside. 
Joshua Soule took the lead in the argument on the 
other side, followed by S. George Roszel, Nelson 
Reed, Joshua Wells, Philip Judge, Peter Cartwright, 
James Axley, and several other good and tal- 
ented men. After spending three or four days, the 
vote was taken, and the resolution lost by a majority 
of nearly two-thirds. Joshua Soule was then ap- 
pointed to preach the funeral sermon of Bishop As- 
bury to the conference, which was done in a masterly 
manner, from these words, " Them that honor me, I 
will honor." 

Our next great concern was to make a suitable se- 
lection for bishops. Enoch George and Robert R. 
Roberts were elected by large majorities, and or- 
dained by Bishop M'Kendree, assisted by several of 
the oldest elders. The next morning, they took their 
seats, as bishops, on the platform. 

This conference transacted a great amount of very 
important business. The slave question engrossed 
much of the time of the conference, but nothing 
was done to benefit the slave, or to purify the 



TRAVELING HOMEWARD. 325 

Church. Notwithstanding the many long and warm 
debates, the conference closed this session in great 
peace and harmony, and agreed to meet in the city 
of Baltimore, in four years' time. We closed with 
prayer, and received the benediction; and, when we 
passed out into the yard, some looked to the south, 
some to the north, some to the east, and some to the 
west; some looked glad, and some looked sorry; some 
looked well, and some looked sick; and some looked 
as if they were afraid they should never be elected 
again. 

I went homeward in the stage as far as Frederick- 
town, where I had left my horse. Afterward, I rode, 
in company with my old friend, John Sale, toward the 
western country. We traveled slow, and talked over 
the happy days we had spent together, when he was 
traveling Salt River circuit, and I was young Jacob 
Young, ready to wait upon the preachers whenever 
they came in my way, get their horses shod, and feed 
and curry them; and, when the preachers needed 
money, was ready to do my part. We had fellowship 
one with another; "and truly our fellowship was with 
the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." I parted 
with my friend in Winchester, Virginia. He went bv 
the way of Staunton, and I took the direct road 
across the Alleghany Mountains. I traveled alone 
to Uniontown. I had charge of Bishop Asbury's 
horse, and some books and clothes he had willed to 
Bishop M'Kendree. The books and clothes were 
packed in two valises, buckled together by two leather 



326 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

straps, and laid across his old pack-saddle. There 
was another valise buckled behind the saddle, and all 
were handsomely covered by a large bear-skin. I 
rode my own horse, and led the Bishop's. My horse 
and package resembled those horses and packages 
which carried silver from one part of the country to 
the other. Silver was very scarce, and the banks 
were trying to drain each other. As I passed by 
Gwin's old stand, near the foot of the Mountain, 
early in the morning, I saw a company of men stand- 
ing in the door. Some of them pointed at me as I 
passed along; and, as I was just going into the 
Mountain, the thought struck me that there might 
be danger ahead. I had not gone more than four or 
five miles, before I saw two men riding up behind me. 
I thought it was no use to be alarmed. I was then 
in my best days, physically, and I did not know of 
many who had much more activity and physical 
power. They rode up very pleasantly, and bid me 
good morning. I returned the compliment cheerily. 
They looked like a couple of strong men. They 
asked me if I lived in the west. I answered in the 
affirmative. They asked me how far I had been to 
the east. I answered, as far as the city of Baltimore. 
" How are the times in the west now V I answered, 
pretty good. "Is money plenty?" I answered, very 
scarce. He then cracked on my bear-skin, and said, 
"You appear to have plenty of it here." I answered, 
"No, sir; there is no money there. This horse and 
package belonged to Bishop Asbury, before his death, 



THE SUSPICIOUS TRAVELERS. 327 

and he willed them to Bishop M'Kendree. I am con- 
veying them to Wheeling for him. The packages 
contain nothing but clothes, books, and manuscripts. " 
They looked very much disappointed. One of them 
asked, "Is Bishop Asbury dead?" I answered, yes. 
"Well," said he, "I have seen and heard him preach 
in my father's house." They paused a few moments, 
galloped off, and left me. It is impossible to tell 
what their intentions were, but I have always thought 
they intended to rob me. 

I pursued my journey till I came to Uniontown, 
where I fell in with the delegates, on their way home. 
I spent a pleasant night at Washington, Pennsylvania, 
and, the next day, rode home, where I spent a few 
days, in order to rest my body and mind, for they 
were both greatly fatigued. I then started for my 
new field of labor — the Muskingum district. 



328 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY, 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

MUSKINGUM DISTRICT- -1816. 

I looked on the plan of this district, furnished me 
by David Young, and found it to be very extensive, 
and intercepted by many water courses — all the trib- 
utaries of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers. I rode 
from home to Marietta, along the pleasant banks of 
the Ohio river. This was in the month of June. It 
brought to my recollection days of other years, when 
I first traveled Marietta circuit, thirteen years before; 
but how swiftly passed ! 0, swift-winged time, how 
rapid is thy flight ! These thirteen years had brought 
many changes in my circumstances, and in my char- 
acter as a man, a Christian, and a minister; but I 
could see no changes in the beautiful river, nor in 
the adjacent lands, only that the forest-trees and 
natural shrubbery were cleared away, and the waving 
corn and wheat had taken their place. When I ar- 
rived at Marietta my heart was filled with pleasing 
grief and mournful joy. I looked on the house 
where I lay many days, to all appearance, on the 
confines of eternity. For nineteen days, I was like 
something standing on a pivot; no skillful physician 
could tell on which side I would fall. But, by a mer- 
ciful Providence, I had lived thirteen years since that 



"CAST DOWN, NOT DESTROYED." 329 

time, and was a strong, athletic, active man, while 
millions that were then healthy, and bid fair for long 
life, were now cold in death. These thoughts rushed 
into my mind like torrents, Why was I raised up from 
the brink of the grave ? and why is my life length- 
ened out still? The answer was, "That you may 
glorify God by doing good to your fellow-men. The 
supreme Being sent you into the world that you may 
do your part in making the world better." I felt my 
own weakness. I knew that I was a man of a small 
mind, and had grown up like a wild tree in the forest, 
with but little cultivation. I knew I could do but 
little for the benefit of mankind. For some time, I 
was very much discouraged, but resolved that, such 
as I was, I would give myself to God, both soul and 
body, for time and eternity. Here I renewed my 
covenant, God appeared to accept the offering, and I 
went on my way rejoicing. 

I took a long and delightful gaze on the beautiful 
commons around my beloved Marietta. I thought of 
the happy hours I had spent on those plains with 
the Rev. George C. Light, in social walks ; and as- 
we had no theological seminary, nor any theologian 
to train our young minds, we studied theology while 
we walked over those pleasure-grounds ; sometimes 
I was preceptor and he pupil, then we would change 
sides — so we got along as well, perhaps, as those 
who had greater advantages. 

Finally, I went down into the town, and my old 

friends clustered around me, and here I had a feast 

28 



330 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

to my soul. Philosophers often talk about a flow 
of soul ; if ever any man felt a full flow of soul we 
enjoyed it on this occasion. I had formed acquaint- 
ance, from traveling here before, with some of the 
choice spirits of the earth, such as James Whitney, 
Esq., Rufus Putnam, Esq., Judge Gilman and wife, 
Manoah Fearing and wife, Joseph Babcock and wife, 
Jonas Johnson and wife, and others too numerous 
to mention. I found many of them living, but some 
had fallen asleep. 

Here I entered upon my new field of labor 
Although the district contained but a few circuits, 
it covered a large territory, and was well supplied 
for the most part with excellent preachers. In 
Marietta, Marcus Lindsey was preacher in charge; 
he was truly a man of God, and well prepared to 
clo the duties of a Methodist traveling preacher, 
having been favored with a good English education. 
In early life, his masculine powers of mind were 
pretty well developed, his soul was filled with a 
missionary spirit, and the Lord owned his labors 
in all the circuits and districts he traveled, during 
his itinerant life. Although his life was not long, 
he turned many to righteousness ; and I trust he 
has gone to shine in the kingdom of heaven as a 
star of considerable magnitude. His colleague was 
the Rev. Thomas A. Morris, a beautiful young man, 
about twenty-two years of age ; though small in 
stature, he was a fine figure, neat in his appearance, 
and of very fine manners — his mind highly cultivated. 



BISHOP MORRIS— ASBURY. 331 

He was a man of a remarkably clear head, and, I 
think, very pure heart. I have known him intimately 
for more than forty years — First, as junior preacher, 
then deacon, then an elder in the Church of God, 
then a presiding elder on a district, then exalted to 
the high station of a bishop. In all these different 
relations he has proved himself worthy the confidence 
of the Church. Bishop Morris has been highly 
favored by the Lord in many respects — he was very 
happy in his marriage. His beloved Abigail was 
talented, amiable, gentle, long-suffering, and kind, 
and, to crown the whole, truly pious. As a wife 
and mother, she had few equals, and I never knew 
her superior. I spent a good many days and nights 
in their humble dwelling, and was always happy 
under their roof. 

At this time, Marietta was very large, and in 
great prosperity. I held my first quarterly meeting 
in the town of Marietta. As Bishop Asbury had 
died, the spring before, I was called upon to preach 
his funeral sermon on the Sabbath of my quarterly 
meeting. I undertook it with fear and trembling. 
I believe the discourse gave general satisfaction. I 
heard of no one finding any fault save Dr. M'Intosh, 
who was a great enemy to bishops, and wanted to 
know if no body else had done any thing to build 
up the Methodist Church but Bishop Asbury. 

I went from Marietta to Letart Falls circuit ; here 
I found the Rev. Cornelius Springer in charge ; he 
had been a major in the last war with England, but 



had laid Lis carnal -weapons by, and, like John 
Bunyan, engaged in a holy war. I found his cir- 
cuit in a very prosperous condition; held his first 
quarterly meeting on a creek called Chickemauga, 
in the neighborhood of William Cherrington's. It 
■will be necessary to take particular notice of this 
good old man : he was a native of the state of ZS"ew 
Jersey : in early life emigrated to the state of Vir- 
ginia, and while he was a young man. became pious, 
and united himself to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. As he was a very decided character, he 
examined the system of Methodism throughout: he 
was pleased with the origin of the Church, espe- 
cially with her great founder and his coadjutors : he 
subscribed to all her doctrines, and was a great 
admirer of her government ; he was theoretically, 
experimentally, and practically a Methodist Christian ; 
and being a man of great industry and economy, 
he soon became wealthy. He was married twice in 
his life, and had large families by both his pious 
wives. I think I may say. in truth, he was one of 
the best family governors I ever knew. His house 
was one of the homes for itinerant Methodist preach- 
ers for many years — first in Greenbrier county, 
Virginia, then in Gallia county, Ohio. The great 
M'Kendree spent many happy nights under his hos- 
pitable roof, with his children and grandchildren. 
They took his Methodist training ; and although they 
are now very numerous, they are nearly all members 
of the Church, and some of them preachers of the 



TRAVELS AND INCIDENTS. 333 

Gospel. Here I met with the talented Burwell 
Spurlock. He reminded me of a tall young pine- 
tree, shooting its top far above the trees of the 
forest. Had it not been for the blighting influence 
of slavery, he would have occupied an eminent place 
in the Methodist Church. 4 

From this place I went on to Guyandotte, Virginia ; 
here I met with my old friend, Thomas Buffington ; 
sweet-tempered, heavenly-minded John Due traveled 
the circuit — I had a comfortable quarterly meeting. 
From this place I went to Parkersburg, Wood county, 
Virginia, rode seven miles up the Kanawha river, 
and stopped with the heavenly-minded Mrs. Kins- 
low, whose husband had acted the part of a father 
to me when I was a young man traveling in a 
strange land; but he had gone to the spirit- world, 
and his wife was a lonely widow. Here I met young 
Samuel Hamilton for the first time — he was traveling 
Little Kanawha circuit, the first year of his itinerancy. 
Hamilton was a man of clear head and honest heart, 
and was preaching the word with great success. 

We held our quarterly meeting in Taverner's meet- 
ing-house, and had a time of refreshing from the 
presence of the Lord. The Church in that place 
was under a high religious excitement, but I believe 
there was no one converted at that quarterly meeting. 
I started from that place to what was then called 
Fairfield circuit; passed through Athens, and the 
place where Logan now stands — from thence to Lan- 
caster. Here I put up with Judge Jacob Deedrick. 



334 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

He was then living in great style; they gave me a 
very kind reception. 

The next morning I visited the Rev. Jesse Spur- 
geon, a local preacher of considerable influence. He 
had taken some offense from the traveling preachers, 
and I suppose was thinking of setting up for him- 
self. He gave me a very cold reception. 

I did not stay long — rode from thence to the town 
of Rushville, and held my quarterly meeting in Union 
meeting-house. James Quinn and Charles Waddle 
were circuit preachers. James Quinn had been to 
General conference, was taken sick on his return 
near Cumberland, in the state of Maryland, and was 
brought near death's door. He had partially recov- 
ered and reached home, but was not able to do any 
thing. The labor of the meeting devolved on Wad- 
dle and myself. This was a very interesting meeting 
to me. The word of the Lord appeared to take deep 
hold on the hearts and minds of the people. I passed 
from this place to Zanesville ; as well as I now recol- 
lect, the meeting was dry and dull. I went from 
thence to Barnesville. Here the righteousness of Zion 
appeared to go forth as brightness, and the salva- 
tion thereof as a lamp that burneth. Finley and 
Strange had been there some time before — the heav- 
enly flame that was kindled under their pious labors, 
was still burning. I had two circuits to the north 
that I did not visit on my first round. 

I had now performed one round on my new field 
of labor, and found it would require very hard work 



IN LABORS ABUNDANT. 335 

to cultivate it well, but I was healthy and vigorous, 
and thought by the grace of God I could get along. 
I had now to provide a place for my family to live, 
for then they furnished no parsonages. I purchased 
a house in the town of Barnesville, for which I gave 
eight hundred dollars. 

■ I then commenced my second round, with all con- 
venient speed, traveling over the same ground that I 
had already been over, and in addition passed through 
Licking, Knox, Richland, and "Wayne counties. Noth- 
ing worthy of notice took place on this round. Some 
of our meetings were very interesting. Notwith- 
standing I had such a fine start on my first round, 
and had renewed my covenant with God, I had not 
much liberty in preaching, and my success did not 
appear as great as it did on the Ohio district. Cold 
weather was now coming on, and my family required 
to be moved about forty miles. In the mean time I 
had to attend the annual conference, which met, that 
year, in Louisville, Kentucky. 

The conference met in September, the frosty nights 
were coming on, and I had to move my family before 
cold weather, and had a long ride to conference. I 
was partly worn out with fatigue before I started. I 
had a heavy camp meeting to attend on my way ; and 
still to increase my burden, Bishop George's horse 
gave out, and he had left with the request that I 
should bring him to conference. 

When I came to the camp meeting I did the best I 
could, but the wicked people in that neighborhood 



336 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

had become incensed against camp meetings some 
years before, and it appeared to me they behaved as 
bad as they possibly could. The official members 
had very little energy, and the meeting dragged 
heavily. I was provoked at the officials and at that 
part of the community called rowdies, and I suppose 
I gave them their charge as heavy as they could bear. 
When they would not obey orders, I would take hold 
of them and lead them out of the congregation. They 
soon saw that I had a great deal of muscular power. 
Although they threatened, no one laid violent hands 
on me. Young Samuel Hamilton was there, who 
preached like an evangelist, and by his good sense 
and mildness turned the tide of opposition. David 
Young came along, and preached on Sabbath at 
eleven o'clock. This was one of the happiest efforts 
I ever knew him to make. It had a fine influence on 
the congregation. I followed with an exhortation, 
and called for mourners — they crowded the altar. 
We had a delightful afternoon, and a goodly number 
professed to be converted. William Swayze was then 
in his best days. He took the management of the 
meeting on Sunday evening, and we had what might 
be called a glorious night. Monday was a delightful 
day — most of the rowdies had by this time left the 
ground, and those that remained were awed into sub- 
jection by a divine influence to be felt in every part 
of the assembly. Brother Swayze worked all day, 
and the Lord owned his labors. The good work went 
on, Monday night, till nearly day-break. On Tues- 



REVISITS THE FIRST CIRCUIT. 337 

day morning we closed with shouts of victory, and 
I went on my journey accompanied by several 
preachers. 

The second day I reached Maysville, Kentucky, 
where we once had a great revival, and some of my 
spiritual children were still living. I had a meeting 
at night, and my spiritual strength was greatly 
renewed. Nothing more took place till I came into 
the neighborhood of Shelbyville, Kentucky. I was 
then passing through the first circuit I ever rode. 

Here I began my itinerant life in company with 

Rev. Hezekiah Herriman, but I soon discovered that 

death had been doing its work among my friends. 

Many of my most valuable acquaintances had gone 

from the Church below to the Church above. Many 

of the children that I admitted on trial, were now 

grown up to be men and women. They clustered 

around me and laid hold of my hands with streaming 

eyes. During the fourteen years that I had been 

absent from this place, I had passed through many 

great and serious changes, and at the hand of the 

Lord I had drunk many a bitter cup ; but I had seen 

many long, delightful days of peace and prosperity; 

and when I came on this camp-ground where I had 

spent my first years after my conversion, I thought I 

had many reasons to be encouraged more than to be 

discouraged. I have been so sustained by the grace 

of God, that I have not reproached his Church or 

myself; and though a feeble minister, God has, in 

some degree, owned my labors. I may say in truth 
29 



338 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

that I have seen thousands converted to God and 
united with the Church. Here I met with Rev. Bar- 
nabas M' Henry. I might say he was a man by him- 
self, for he lived at least fifty years before his time. 
Though a self-taught man, he was far superior to 
many that had enjoyed the advantages of a collegiate 
education. He was an eloquent orator, accurate 
logician and profound theologian. Here I met with 
Bishops M'Kendree and George; brother Parker, 
then called the "Star of the West;" metaphysical 
John Waterman ; George C. Light, and others too 
numerous to mention. On the Sabbath day I had 
an intellectual feast. On Monday we closed, and 
I went on to conference. The conference opened 
with very pleasing prospects, and to most of the 
preachers it was a time long to be remembered; but 
to me it was the most barren conference I had ever 
attended. I was partly worn down with hard labor, 
my health not very good, and my temporal circum- 
stances rather embarrassing. However, I passed 
through the business of conference, to the satisfaction 
of all concerned, as far as I know, and was reap- 
pointed to the Muskingum district. 



BUSINESS OPERATIONS. 339 



CHAPTER XXV. 

MUSKINGUM DISTRICT — CONTINUED. — 1816-1818. 

I began my quarterly meetings, commencing at 
Marietta, from thence to Athens, and so on till I com- 
pleted my first round. I found the district very large 
and a part lying in a very rough country. Quarter- 
age came in very light. I saw clearly I would have 
to work hard and receive a very lean support. I had 
lived six years on my father-in-law's land, where I 
enjoyed many advantages, and had been able to lay 
up some money. 

I concluded I must turn that money to the best 
advantage for the support of my family. While I 
was traveling that poor district, part of the money I 
invested in a store, and the rest I laid out for land. 
These were very unfortunate operations for me, in- 
volving me in trouble that I did not throw off for 
twelve years. After continuing the business for 
nearly two years, during which time we had sold 
twenty-two thousand dollars' worth of goods, I found 
that my partner was a bankrupt, and dare not go to 
the eastern cities to lay in goods. Contrary to our 
article of agreement I had to go and purchase the 
goods myself. This embarrassed me greatly, but I 
saw no way of backing out, and concluded I must 



340 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCT. 

make the best I could of a bad bargain. I laid in a 
large stock of goods, bought them very cheap, hired 
an active clerk, and instructed him to be very careful 
about trusting. I then had to devote all my time to 
my ministerial duties — only had time to look into the 
condition of the store once in three months. The 
sheriff came to levy on my partner's property; but 
he could not touch the store, because of the partner- 
ship property. I found I must do one of two things; 
either let my partner drop and carry on the business 
myself, or wind up the whole concern. 

Before I determined what course to take, I laid my 
case before the district. They protested against my 
locating; said the conference could not do without 
me; and my wife protested against my continuing in 
the business unless I located and attended to it my- 
self. I told the clerks to make out a correct invoice 
of all the goods on hand, and then to exhibit the in- 
debtedness of the firm, then the assets belonging to 
the firm, then strike the balance, and let me know how 
we stood. After two or three days the young men 
came to me and said they were ready to report. I 
found the firm was worth about six thousand dollars 
after all our debts were paid. 

My partner was broken down in his feelings, and 
almost every other way. He had a large family to 
support. I went to him in his deep distress and sub- 
mitted to him the following proposition: You know 
that my private account has been kept with the firm 
as though I did not belong to it. Every thing I have 



BUSINESS CONTINUED. 341 

taken out has been charged at the retail price. I will 
pay up that bill, and if you will bind yourself to pay 
all the debts of the firm, I will relinquish my claim to 
the goods on hand and all the assets belonging to it, 
and for my part of the capital I will take real estate 
at a fair price. He accepted the proposition and 
bound himself to pay all the debts. I relinquished 
my claim and stepped out, and gave him all the profits 
made on the sale of goods. He sold the store to G. 
and E. Roe, and went on collecting with great energy. 

When I came home again he came to see me in fine 
spirits. He told me he should have several thousand 
dollars after paying off the debts of the firm, and he 
thought of going to Illinois and laying it out for 
land; and as land was rapidly rising in value he 
thought he might, by that means, be able to pay off 
his old debts. I knew no more of his business till 
the fall season of the year. At a certain time I came 
home; he looked very melancholy and told me he 
would not be able to pay off, and that five hundred 
dollars would fall back on me. I asked him what had 
become of the assets. He said the clerks had made 
a mistake ; there was not as much as they thought. 
I saw that I was taken in, and I did not know how to 
help myself. 

A few days after he packed up and moved off to 
Perry county, Ohio, and left his son to collect what 
money he could. In my absence my wife found the 
son was going away, and was intending to take the 
store books. She went down and took the books 



342 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

from him and all the accounts for which I was liable. 
I found my liabilities were only sixteen hundred dol- 
lars. 1 went to work, drew off every man's account, 
and sued every man indebted to the firm, without any 
exception, sold a valuable lot of ground, was very 
successful in collecting, paid off all the debts, and 
came out minus five hundred dollars. I then went to 
see my old partner, and found him poor enough. We 
talked over the whole affair of our late firm. I dwelt 
largely on the losses I had sustained by the partner- 
ship ; but notwithstanding all, if he would pay me up, 
I would give two hundred dollars more, if he would 
give me his note for three hundred dollars. He never 
paid but a small part of that note, so the troublesome 
affair ended. 

I suffered loss of property, but more in my feel- 
ings, and, worse than all, my character became tar- 
nished. All this trouble originated in a distrust in 
divine Providence ; but by it I learned a lesson that I 
shall never forget. I have recorded these things in 
detail as a solemn warning to all itinerant preachers 
to keep clear of speculation. 

About this time I became involved in the Book 
Concern. I had sold a large number of books; for 
many of them I wa,s never paid; and under the old 
system of doing business, the Agents forwarded books 
at their own discretion and charged them all to the 
presiding elder, and they were deposited here and 
there — any place where the people would receive 
them. In this loose way of "doing business I lost a 



DISCOURAGEMENTS. 343 

great many hundred dollars. But after a long time I 
had the whole affair laid before the General confer- 
ence; they did me justice, and no more. These 
blunders and mistakes made me liable to many tempt- 
ations, and I lost ground in religion; and I honestly 
confess I backslid to a great extent, although the 
Church and the world never knew it; but by the for- 
bearance of my heavenly Father I was not cut down 
in my folly; he restored unto me the light of his 
countenance. 

I staid at home a few days to recruit my strength, 
after having finished my first round of quarterly 
meetings for the current year. I commenced the sec- 
ond round in very cold weather. The roads, in many 
places, were very dim and hard to find. I was often 
in danger of missing the way and lying out in the 
woods ; but by the good providence of God I always 
found shelter before dark. 

We were trying to form a new circuit in Lawrence 
county, Ohio. I sent on the Rev. Samuel Baker; and 
his brother, Henry Baker, then traveling on Letart 
Falls circuit, extended his pastoral care over the new 
circuit, and tried to supply both; but he met with 
great opposition in different parts of Lawrence county 
from the Baptist preachers. At this time a young 
man by the name of James Gilruth embraced religion 
and joined the Church. He was a man of uncommon 
muscular power and had been desperately wicked, 
and almost every body in the county was afraid of 
him. He became a great safeguard to the preachers. 



344 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

I finished ruy second round about the close of win- 
ter. The quarterly meetings on this round were very 
dull, and, as far as we could see, very little good was 
done. I was often greatly embarrassed in trying to 
preach. My sermons, the most of the time, were 
poorly arranged. I often felt like leaving the itiner- 
ancy and going into some other business. I was look- 
ing round for a preacher to send on to Burlington 
circuit to supply the place of Henry Baker, who was 
then trying to do double work. I was one day pass- 
ing by a school-house, when I met with a young man 
by the name of Isaac Reynolds, just licensed to 
preach. I asked him if he would not like to go and 
fill a vacancy on the district. He said he would as 
soon as his school was out. I gave him a letter of 
introduction to the officiary on the circuit. In a few 
days he was on the ground and at work. 

My success on the district, up to this time, had 
been very poor compared to what it had been four 
years on the Ohio district. When I came to Burling- 
ton circuit I found young Isaac at work day and 
night, and a general revival all around the circuit. 
During the balance of the year he took in several 
hundred. The Lord appeared to own this young man 
wherever he went. He labored on with great success 
till his physical powers gave way; he then thought 
himself compelled to locate. He is still living in 
some respects like John the Baptist — he is a burning 
and a shining light. 

During this round, the Lord began to make bare 



MUSKINGUM DISTRICT. 345 

his arm. Our quarterly meetings were much im- 
proved, and some revival influence was felt all around 
the district. 

The fourth quarter was, by far, the best I ever hajL 
on the district. We had some good camp meetings, 
one particularly on Marietta circuit, at a place called 
White Oak settlement. This was among the best 
meetings I ever enjoyed. I baptized, one morning, 
during the meeting, eighty odd persons — some by im- 
mersion, others by sprinkling, and some by pouring. 
Thomas A. Morris was the preacher in charge, and 
we had a full supply of preachers of the right kind, 
such as Abel Robinson, Samuel Hamilton, Jacob 
Myers, and Lemuel Lane. They became so filled 
with the Holy Spirit, that nearly all fell down in the 
stand. I closed my round, and went home, to pre- 
pare for conference. This had been rather a dark 
year, but I had some bright spots. I was able to 
make a good report at conference, which was held, 
this year — 1817 — in Zanesville. I was returned to 
the Muskingum district, composed of the following 
circuits : Letart Falls, John Summerville, preacher in 
charge; Little Kanawha, John Solomon; Fairfield, 
James Quinn and John M'Mehan; Zanesville, John 
Waterman and Thomas Carr; Knox, Shadrach Ruark; 
Marietta, Cornelius Springer and Thomas A. Morris; 
Barnesville, John Graham and Samuel Hamilton; 
Mansfield, Lemuel Lane. 

This was rather a dry and barren year on that 
circuit. Brother Summerville was a good preacher, 



346 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

and was very attentive to all the duties of a Meth- 
odist minister. Our quarterly meetings were dry and 
barren, in general, but we had some conversions, and 

*e. accessions to the Church. 

-nad a good work on Little Kanawha circuit — 
foaeVsf' the best years of John Solomon's life. He 
was faithful to his God and faithful to the Church, 
and the Lord owned and blessed his labors exten- 
sively, and the people esteemed him very highly in 
love, for his works' sake. He was assisted by a local 
preacher, by the name of David Smothers, who was 
an able minister of the New Testament. His whole 
soul appeared to be in the work of the ministry. 

There was another local preacher, by the name of 
Samuel Briggs, who was a curious and eccentric man. 
The Rev. Reese Wolfe was both able and willing to 
defend the Church, her doctrines, and government. 
It was a prosperous year. Our quarterly meetings 
were attended with abundant success. Fairfield cir- 
cuit was not so prosperous. Brother Quinn was in 
feeble health, and was not so able to labor as he had 
been in other years. Still, he preached well, God 
honored him, and the people loved him. Brother 
M'Mehan charmed the people with his eloquence. 
They crowded to hear him in multitudes. He was 
truly, in those days, an orator and a fine sermonizer. 
He was an able defender of the doctrines of the 
Church, and was capable of doing as much good as 
any man of his time. 

A certain Universalist preacher, by the name of 




JOHN M'MEHAN. 347 

Streeter, came on from the east, and stopped in Lan- 
caster. I was informed, afterward, that he was a 
backslidden Methodist preacher. He commenced a 
violent attack on the Methodist Church. M 
encountered him and put him to silence. T 
a public debate in the court-house, and 9 
evidently gained the victory. 

Yet the enemies and schismatics took sides with 
Streeter, and many long and angry debates ensued. 
When M'Mehan came round again, he preached in 
the court-house to a crowded assembly. After meet- 
ing, as he was retiring, he was met by a certain 
Colonel, who gave him some very insulting language. 
Unfortunately, M'Mehan became angry. A certain 
Dr. Smith, standing by, cried out, at the top of his 
voice, " Smite him, Johnny, in the name of the Lord, 
for he richly deserves it." Johnny laid hands on the 
Colonel, but did not strike him. 

I am obliged to say, that this controversy did not 
redound to the glory of God, or the benefit of Meth- 
odism. About this time, brother M'Mehan wished to 
retire from the work, for reasons best known to him- 
self. I deemed it the worst step he ever took; so it 
turned out, and he regretted it for many years. I let 
him go, and put the well-known John Stewart in his 
place, then a lovely boy, full of zeal and good works. 
He and brother Quinn worked together in great har- 
mony. They had a pleasant year, and some degree 
of prosperity. "VVe had but few conversions on 
Zanesville circuit this year, and very few accessions 




348 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

to the Church ; jet I should do wrong to say it was 
a barren year. Waterman's preaching made a deep 
and lasting impression on the minds of all his con- 

ms. These impressions were of the right 
they set both men and women to thinking 

'closely, and to great advantage, 
uist say, Waterman was the greatest man of his 
age, and, though he is dead, he yet speaketh. His 
usefulness not only appeared on Barnesville circuit, 
but also on the Western Reserve. Although you 
could not trace his footsteps as an itinerant in that 
country, yet you could read the impressions made by 
his sermons on the minds and in the conversation of 
the members, of his congregations. His preaching 
was like bread cast upon the waters, which appeared 
not only after many days, but after many revolving 
years. So it was in every circuit and station, as far 
as I recollect, during his itinerant life. He had a 
clear and investigating mind, was a man of general 
and extensive information, and could communicate 
what he knew to the best advantage. He was truly 
a great man; and, to us short-sighted mortals, it 
seems mysterious that the Church was deprived of 
his labors so soon. But God, who made him and sent 
him into the world, with all his talents and usefulness, 
had a right to take him to himself when he thought 
proper, and he gives an account of none of his 
matters. 

We had rather a dull and barren year on Knox 
circuit. This had been a hard field of labor for sev- 



V j~, — 



CORNELIUS SPRINGER. 34*9 

eral years — ever since the days of E. W. Bowman 
and James Smith. They sowed the seeds of discord 
among the brethren, which lasted for many years. 
James Quinn, Michael Ellis, and David Youaag.;-lj 
bored, with great skill and energy, to resto^ 
and harmony to the Church, but with too lit! 
cess. Truth at last triumphed over error. 

This was a happy year for Marietta circuit. It was 
blessed with two lovely young men, amiable, pious, 
and talented, who, like St. Paul, " labored publicly, 
and from house to house." The circuit was very 
large. The heavenly flame that had been kindled 
in the days of Lindsey was still burning, and their 
manner of preaching and living was well calculated to 
spread the flame. 

Cornelius Springer, who was the preacher in 
charge, set out in his career with fair prospects of 
doing good. He possessed great physical power — a 
fine mind and resources well developed, having re- 
ceived a good English education when young ; his 
praise, in a short time, was in all the Churches where 
he traveled ; but, when the division took place, in 
1828, he went with the Radicals, which step I always 
regretted, as his misfortune, and not his crime. He 
was a noble, high-minded, honorable gentleman ; and, 
I have always believed he followed the best light he 
had, when he left the Church ; but I think he suffered 
himself to be misled by men whom he looked up to 
as his superiors. But he was a man of remark- 
ably strong prejudices, which led him to say and 



350 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

write things, many and bitter, against the Methodist 

Episcopal Church. They never did the Church any 

harm. Although we were at antipodes in the Radical 

^^^ontroversy, yet it never interrupted our friendship 

M Sbj ^or our fellowship as Christians. I loved him 

V '.<! . i^Wang — I love him yet, and expect to love him 

^^^^reaven. 

Thomas A. Morris was his colleague. I have 
spoken of him before, and shall say nothing here. 
John Graham and Samuel Hamilton traveled Barnes- 
ville circuit. This was comparatively a barren year 
there. There had been extensive revivals there in 
the days of Finley and Strange, and they were now 
passing through — what the old Methodists called — the 
sifting-time. Brother Graham was one of the sweet 
singers of Israel — knew as many fine songs, and could 
sing them as well as any man. He was a sanctified 
man, and his life corresponded with his profession. 
Samuel Hamilton was a man of choice spirit, though 
his early opportunities of acquiring an education 
were not very good. The God of nature had done 
much for him — he became pious at an early age, and 
turned his attention particularly and especially, to 
the Bible, and was well versed in the Scriptures, 
while yet a young man. His exemplary piety and 
natural abilities recommended him to the Church, as 
a suitable person to fill an official station. He was 
soon licensed to preach, and then put on a circuit. 
He was not a showy man, but one of good under- 
standing, and as much ready wit and common sense 



HAMILTON AND THE INFIDEL. 351 

as almost any young man I ever knew. His deep- 
toned piety and moral honesty and faithfulness, soon 
gave him a very high standing in community. He 
soon rose to eminence among the brethren. God 
honored him in all the charges he ever fillecL 
constant application to his books soon made 
man of general knowledge. He was appointed pre- 
siding elder in Missouri, Illinois, and other places, 
while the country was yet a wilderness, where he had 
to grapple with infidelity as well as immorality. One 
morning, riding out of St. Louis, he fell in company 
with a skeptic, and they had to ride together nearly 
all day. I suppose they both brought forth their 
strongest arguments, but it appears there was no 
yielding on either side. At length Hamilton called 
in question the sincerity of his antagonist, and in- 
sisted that he did believe in God, and in future re- 
wards and punishments, and that he expected to be 
happy in the world to come, and finally asked, what 
he would take for his hope of happiness in the world 
to come. "0/' said the infidel, laughing, "I will 
sell it very cheap." Hamilton pulled out a silver 
watch worth thirty dollars, and said, " Will you 
give me your interest in Christ for this watch ?" 
The infidel replied, "I will, sir." Hamilton then 
handed him the watch, and the infidel wrote an 
entire quit-claim to heaven — signed it, and Hamil- 
ton put it in his pocket-book. 

The report reached St. Louis before the infidel 
returned home. Some time after, he was called to 



352 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

bear witness in court, but the judge would not receive 
his testimony. 

I might relate many anecdotes, highly interesting, 
in connection with the life and labors of this excellent 
jman of God. I shall let one more suffice. He was 
one day preaching near the mouth of Little Kanawha, 
in Taverner's meeting-house, to a large congregation; 
and, I suppose, was bearing heavy upon certain vices 
prevailing in that country. There was a crazy man 
sitting in the congregation. Just at the time the 
preacher and people became highly excited, the crazy 
man rose to his feet, crying, " Tom Taverner, he 
means you." Taverner shook his head sternly, and 
the crazy man sat down ; but, in a short time he was 
on his feet again, and cried out, " He certainly means 
you, Tom Taverner." The appearance of the crazy 
man, and his earnest manner, operated on the risibles 
of the preacher and his audience ; and, unfortunately 
for the preacher, a little dog in the aisle, looking up 
at him, began to bark. The eccentric Reese Wolfe 
laid hold of the dog, saying, "You little rascal, will 
you tree the preacher?" and threw it out of the door. 
By this time Hamilton was entirely overcome, and 
broke out in a loud laugh, and there was a general 
roar throughout the congregation. Hamilton grasped 
his saddle-bags and run, mounted his horse, and rode 
away, deeply mortified. 

How often are fair prospects blighted ! This holy 
minister, lived a good many years, and accomplished 
much good in the vineyard of the Lord. He was 



LEMUEL LANE. 353 

truly a wise man, and turned many to righteousness ; 
and, I believe, is now shining in the kingdom of God. 

Mansfield was a new circuit, formed in a newly- 
settled country — land rich — mud deep — roads bad, 
and the country intercepted by many rapid streams;, 
but Lemuel Lane was well qualified to travel just 
such a circuit. Endowed with a good degree of natu- 
ral courage, and not at all deficient in moral cour- 
age, having a constitution like elastic steel, he could 
travel through a wilderness without compass or guide. 
He was an excellent swimmer, and, as far as I could 
judge from his actions, he dreaded no danger. In 
a short time he formed a full four week's circuit. 
His first quarterly meeting was in the town of Mans- 
field, then very small, consisting of about half a dozen 
log-houses. I held my quarterly meeting in the 
largest of these buildings, where they sold and drank 
whisky very freely. The prospect was discouraging 
enough, but I tried to preach. Lane exhorted right 
among the whisky-men. At night I preached again. 
Lane gave them a very rough talk, and called for 
mourners right in the bar-room — a number came up, 
and several appeared to be convicted. Sunday morn- 
ing he held his love-feast, with closed doors. Many 
contended they had a right to come into the public 
house, but he kept the door himself. The angry 
people raged without — God worked within, and we 
had a refreshing time. 

During the other three rounds, we had our usual 
prosperity throughout the district in general. I 

30 



854 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

made my report this year at the conference which 
met at Steubenville in 1818 — Bishop George, presi- 
dent. This was a very interesting and profitable 
conference. The labors of the ministers in the pulpit 
were wonderfully owned and blessed of God, to the 
people. Asa Shinn, Samuel Parker, John Collins, 
and others, preached to great advantage on the 
Sabbath day — we had a gracious revival. 

The business of the conference was conducted with 
much ease and propriety. Although William Burke's 
case came up and gave rise to some warm debates 
on the legality of his appeal, Bishop M'Kendree 
decided the law question, and there it rested. Joshua 
Soule was there, as Book Agent, and finding things 
in the Ohio conference in rather a bad condition, 
he left dissatisfied. 

Here I parted with Samuel Parker for the last 
time — he was appointed presiding elder in the Mis- 
sissippi conference. This was a melancholy parting 
to both him and me, for he had been my preceptor, 
class-leader, and counselor, in the early part of my 
religious life. I looked after him as he rode away, 
thinking, I shall see him no more ; and so it turned 
out, for he died, and now slumbers in the little town 
of Washington, near Natchez. He was truly a great 
man, his intellectual powers were well developed; 
he had received a liberal education when young ; 
he was one of the most able ministers, and, I believe, 
one of the best men I ever knew. 

I was reappointed to the Muskingum district. 



EMBARRASSMENTS. 355 

We had some good revivals, especially on the Zanes- 
ville circuit, under the labors of John Tivis. This 
good man still lives to bless the Church, and the 
world, with his evangelical preaching and pious 
example. He has consecrated his family and fortune 
to God. We had some good quarterly meetings, and 
profitable camp meetings. On Knox circuit, Henry 
Baker and Philip Green were true yoke-fellows — 
one a son of consolation, the other a son of thunder. 
At this time, my family expenses and my temporal 
circumstances were much embarrassed. I received 
but little quarterage, no estimate for fuel or table ex- 
penses, no allowance for children or house-rent. As 
a matter of course, I began to go deeply in debt, 
which alarmed me much, and I began to look out for 
some way by which to extricate myself. A good 
brother in the mercantile business proposed taking 
me in as a partner, on the following conditions : that 
I invest what capital I had in the firm, and employ 
a clerk. He would attend to all the business. I 
should only be called once in three months, to see 
the state of affairs and divide the profits equally. 
But I soon found he was insolvent, and not able to 
keep up his part, therefore we dissolved by mutual 
consent, he to take all the goods and assets, and 
pay all the debts of the firm honorably, and preserve 
my ministerial character. These afflictions tended 
to drive me nearer a throne of grace. I labored 
hard to improve my own mind and discharge my 
duty promptly as a presiding elder. 



356 FIFTY YEARS IB THE ITIXERANCY. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

GENERAL C OXEE RE NCE — 1820. 

At the close of the year, I attended conference at 
Cincinnati, in 1819. There was a vast amount of 
business transacted during the session. Our borders 
were greatly enlarged. We had commenced thinking 
about erecting a college for the benefit of the great 
■west. 

The Wyandott mission claimed much of our atten- 
tion. We "were also laboring hard to improve our 
young ministers by providing a course of study, and 
the vexed question of slavery came up. We had 
also to elect delegates to the General conference. 
Some of our prominent men had not traveled their 
four full calendar years, and were not eligible. The 
following brethren were elected : David Young, 
James Quinn, James B. Finley, John Collins, Mar- 
cus Lindsey, Jacob Young. Business over, the 
appointments were read, and I was sent to "West 
Wheeling circuit ; Thomas Ruckle, my colleague ; 
William Swayze, my presiding elder. 

Nothing special took place till our first quarterly 
meeting, which was held in St. Clairsville. Swayze 
was received as the Lord's messenger — the Spirit 
from on high was poured upon us. 



WILLIAM SWAYZE. 357 

Our second quarterly meeting was held in Myer's 
meeting-house. On Saturday, Swayze became em- 
barrased; he thought the preachers were criticising. 
He stopped in about the middle of his sermon, and 
told us he could not preach. He closed the meeting 
in the best manner he could, and went to the house 
with a heavy heart. 

In the evening, the Rev. J. Waterman preached 
an excellent sermon. ISText morning, Swayze ap- 
peared still cast down. Love-feast over, we insisted 
on his preaching in the woods, although in the month 
of February. He refused several times, but the 
people would take no denial. They had come from 
a great distance to hear the celebrated revivalist. 
I suppose there were a thousand people on the 
ground. They had the fixtures all ready in a few 
minutes, and he mounted the stand with fear and 
trembling. His voice faltered, and he could scarcely 
give out the first hymn, and when he went to prayer, 
we were afraid he would stall and never get through. 
Waterman and M'Elroy, both talented men, were 
behind him, which made his cross still heavier. 
Right before him stood the famous dancing-master, 
Chapman, from old Connecticut. Swayze took his 
text and began to preach. We soon saw his eyes 
growing red, and the big veins on the sides of his 
neck began to swell. He threw back his head, looked 
up to heaven, and exclaimed, with a loud voice, 
" God help the emaciated Sivayze once more !" 
The people were shocked as if they had touched the 



358 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

electric wire. In a few moments they began to fall 
from their seats like men slain in battle — among 
the number was the Yankee dancing-master, who 
fell as quick as if he had been shot through the 
heart. His friends caught him, held him up, and 
he was completely convulsed. M'Elroy saw him fall, 
and knowing what a notorious sinner he had been, 
he began to cry out, "Help ! help ! men of Israel, for 
there is a bull in the net." Swayze could be heard 
no more. By this time, at least one hundred were 
stretched on the cold ground, crying for mercy. 
M'Elroy took the meeting out of Swayze's hands, 
while Swayze stood weeping and shouting. " Now, 
brethren," said M'Elroy, " Chapman was one of -the 
worst men in the country, and if he is sincere, he 
will bear me out in saying so. I hope the Lord will 
break his fiddle !" 

The meeting continued till about twelve o'clock on 
Monday; there were more souls converted in that 
short time, than at any of our modern protracted 
meetings that are lengthened out for three weeks. 

The presiding elder thought proper to change my 
colleague, Thomas Ruckle, for John Waterman. The 
spring of the year was now coming on, and I had 
to attend the General conference, to meet in Balti- 
more, May 1, 1820. 

I left Barnesville on horseback, about the middle 
of April ; had fine weather, good roads, and excellent 
company. On our way we fell in with Bishop 
Roberts. At this time they were turnpiking the 



THE PREACHERS AND IRISHMEN. 359 

National Road across the Alleghany Mountains. The 
turnpikers, being nearly all Irishmen, were very 
rude, and annoyed travelers very much, demanding 
money, and if it was not given them, they would 
pull men off from their horses. 

One day, we came in sight of a large company of 
workmen. Collins and myself were before. They 
made their demand for money — we talked kindly to 
them, joked a little, got them to laughing, and passed 
by safely. When Finley and Roberts came up, the 
pikers told them, as gentlemen had no toll to pay on 
that road, the law was, they should pay it to the work- 
hands. Roberts told them there was no such law. 
" Well," said one of them, " those that just passed 
paid without saying a word." Roberts told them 
it was not so, that the men gave them nothing. 
"Well I" said one of them, "you are no gentlemen." 
The preachers rode on, and left them threatening. 

We arrived safe in Baltimore in good time. I took 
up my lodgings with Mr. George Ernest, where I 
spent a pleasant month with him and his lovely 
family. 

On the first of May, the conference opened at 
nine o'clock, with Bishop M'Kendree in the chair. 
Bishops George and Roberts near him. They made 
a very dignified appearance, being large, fine looking 
men. After the conference was opened, in the 
usual way, the first business was to choose a secre- 
tary, pro tern. This being done, the several delegates 
presented their certificates, and took their seats. 



800 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

They then proceeded to elect a secretary by ballot, 
and, I think, Thomas L. Douglass was elected. 

This was the second General conference I had 
now attended ; consequently, I was very ignorant of 
the mode of conducting business. There were two 
days spent in adopting by-laws, and appointing com- 
mittees. I soon discovered there was a great deal 
of talent in that body of ministers — collected from 
the north, the south, the east, and the west. Ezekiel 
Cooper, John Emory, James Ridgeway, Xathan Bangs, 
Samuel Merwin, George Pickering, Peter P. Sanford, 
S. George Roszel, Joshua "Wells, Xelson Read, James 
0. Andrews, "William Capers, and many others equally 
talented, whose names are not remembered. 

The conference had not proceeded far in business 
when the presiding elder question came up, which had 
been laid over four years ago. This was warmly 
debated for many days. The resolution was to have 
the elders elected by the conference instead of the 
bishops. This debate was conducted with great skill 
and zeal, on both sides, but as the whole matter has 
been repeatedly before the public, I shall say but 
little upon it in this narrative — only to place Bishop 
M'Kenclree's and Bishop Soule's course correctly 
before the public — they having, I think, been mis- 
represented. This resolution, after being amended 
a number of times, passed the General conference. 
M'Kendree beiDg confined to his room was not pres- 
ent at the time. When he came in the next morning 
he appeared dissatisfied with the resolution, for he 



/ 

APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDING ELDERS. 361 

thought it was an open violation of the Constitution 
of the Church. Joshua Soule, being elected bishop, 
declined being ordained ; for he thought if the resolu- 
tion passed into a law, it would be unconstitutional, 
and that in his administration he could not, with a 
good conscience, carry it out. Therefore he would 
not accept the office, making way for some brother 
that would carry it out without scruple. 

And here let me give Joshua Soule justice. He 
never claimed to have a right to overrule the doings 
of the General conference, and herein his opponents 
misrepresented him. Although they had elected him, 
they had no right to make him serve. All he asked 
at their hands was to let him quietly retire. At the 
request of Bishop M'Kendree, the conference resolved 
itself into a committee of the whole, and the Bishop 
took the floor as a debater, and advanced such argu- 
ments as no one attempted to answer. At the close 
of Bishop M'Kendree's speech, a motion was made 
by some one voting in the majority, to reconsider the 
vote, by which the above resolution passed the Gen- 
eral conference. This was powerfully resisted by 
some of the strongest men on the floor, and when 
they found it would prevail, they left the house and 
broke the quorum. It was a most trying hour for 
the conference. The next day the subject came up 
again, and several of the members who were in favor 
of a reconsideration, being absent when the vote was 
taken, it was a tie. The President gave the casting 
vote, and the motion was lost. 

31 



362 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

It was now fully ascertained that there was a clear 
majority opposed to the resolution, and they were 
determined not to be overruled by a minority, there- 
fore they moved to suspend the resolution for four 
years. This. raised such a tumult that the vote could 
not be taken. During the confused scene a brother 
took his pencil and paper, passed through the whole 
conference, receiving all the names that were in favor 
of the suspension, and while there were three or four 
on the floor speaking at the same time, he held up his 
paper, and cried with a loud voice, " Here are forty- 
seven names in favor of the suspension." This stilled 
the tumult, and the members all resumed their seats. 
The vote was then taken, and passed by a large 
majority. Bishop Soule tendered his resignation, 
which was accepted — the journals were read and the 
conference adjourned, sine die. 

I wish to make a few remarks in relation to Bishop 
M'Kendree, placing him in a fairer attitude before 
the public — that if this journal ever should be pub- 
lished, the readers thereof may acquit the departed 
Bishop of tyranny and usurpation ; for, to my cer- 
tain knowledge, he was misunderstood and misrepre- 
sented. He was one of the last men in the world to 
assume any thing that did not belong to his office. 
This noble man of God was charged with exercising 
the veto power, which he never claimed and never ex- 
ercised. I readily admit that he changed the opinion 
of the General conference ; but the question is, how 
did he do it? I answer, by irresistible argument. By 



DIFFICULTIES — DELIVERANCE. 363 

the consent of the conference he came down from the 
chair, took the floor as if a member of their body, 
and in a speech of nearly an hour's length, con- 
vinced many members of the conference that the pend- 
ing resolution was unconstitutional. Although the 
strongest advocates for the measure were seated 
around him, not one of them attempted to answer 
him, for they knew they could not. He carried his 
point not by assumption, but by the power of his con- 
vincing arguments. 

After the conference closed, I started for the west, 
and rode all the way on horseback. My traveling 
companions were intelligent, good-natured, pious men ; 
we had a pleasant trip. I closed my labors on West 
Wheeling circuit, and went to the annual conference 
which was held in Chillicothe, in 1820. Through the 
course of the past summer I had a great deal of tem- 
poral business on hand, of a very perplexing nature, 
and the prominent stand I had taken in the late Gen- 
eral conference, rendered me odious in the eyes of 
the ultra Radicals, and they treated me a good deal as 
Alexander, the coppersmith, treated St. Paul. They 
tried to do me much injury, and the Lord rewarded 
them according to their deeds; but I never prayed for 
their downfall. During the summer I had some 
heavy debts to pay, and my means were not equal to 
the demands that were against me; but by the 
good providence of God I got safely through. I 
was returned again to the Muskingum district, where 
I spent two very pleasant years. The society had 



364: FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANC T. 

greatly improved in Barnesville where I lived. John 
Davenport, John Gibson, William Philpot, and many 
others were my constant companions. I felt in my 
heart to live and die with that people — William Knox 
and John Waterman traveled the circuit; it was a 
happy year for Barnesville. A few preachers on the 
district tried to give me trouble, but their efforts were 
neutralized — for truth and justice was on my side ; 
and I was well sustained by all intellectual and honest 
men that understood the controversy. We worked to- 
gether in great harmony, and the Lord blessed our 
labors. We held a camp meeting in the vicinity. 
Though we were disturbed much, God was with us, and 
many souls were converted. We held another on Leath- 
erwood forks of Well creek, which was more powerful 
than the one on Barnesville. Our third one was on 
the old camp-ground in Barlow township, near Mari- 
etta, where the Lord in a special manner poured out 
his Spirit. At our last quarterly meeting, we had a 
profitable time. I closed my labors with a fine in- 
crease, and I went to conference in fine spirits. Our 
conference was much agitated by Radical influence. I 
was returned again to the same district. By this time 
the Radicals had their plans matured, and had 
acquired considerable numerical strength. They 
were now trying to annoy us exceedingly. I passed 
the year as usual, holding quarterly meetings and 
camp meetings, and doing all within the limits of my 
power, to sustain the Wyandott mission at Upper 
Sandusky. By this time I had formed an intimate 



CONFERENCE AT MARIETTA. 365 

acquaintance with several of the Wyandott chiefs, and 
understood the condition of the nation pretty well. 
There was a school in the mission, and I was em- 
ployed by the missionary, J. B. Finley, to look out for 
a suitable school-teacher. I selected Lydia Barstow. 

This year conference met in Marietta, Bishop 
M'Kendree and Bishop George both attended. We 
had a splendid conference. Henry B. Bascom was 
there in the zenith of his glory; Martin Ruter was 
enjoying his palmy days; the good Daniel Hitt was 
with us. About this time John Waterman had become 
the oracle of the conference. Finley was present 
with three Wyandott chiefs — Between-the-Logs, Mo- 
noncue, and John Hicks, with William Walker for an 
interpreter. 

The conference opened under auspicious circum- 
stances. Bishop M'Kendree was delighted above 
measure with the Indian chiefs, and they were equally 
pleased with him. All things were arranged to their 
mutual satisfaction, and we were moving on in great 
harmony, when, upon the fourth day, the fever broke 
out in Esquire Whitney's family, where the bishops 
and nine or ten of the preachers boarded. The 
preachers became alarmed and told me, the next 
morning, that I must get them other boarding-places, 
for the families were all sick where they were. We 
got through with the conference business as soon as 
possible, heard our appointments read, and took our 
departure, leaving many of our dear friends sick, and 
some of them dying. 



366 FIFT f YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

One circumstance I wish to mention in relation to 
the Wyandott chiefs. About the third or fourth day 
of the conference, they all three appeared to become 
uneasy ; Finley did not know the cause ; Walker be- 
came silent and would not say any thing; Charles 
Elliott, who had just been appointed missionary, be- 
came much alarmed; even Bishop M'Kendree was at 
a loss to know what to do. "We all sat in a profound 
silence for about half an hour. At length Between- 
the-Logs arose and broke silence. He said, "Breth- 
ren, we ourselves have full confidence in you, but 
some of our people have become uneasy; for certain 
white men tell them you keep a large book, and in it 
you charge us for all you are now doing ; by and by, 
you will come and take away our land." 

Bishop M'Kendree, as quick as thought, picked up 
his pen and wrote an article of agreement between 
the Ohio conference and the Wyandott Indians, in 
which he bound the conference to do many things for 
the Wyandott nation, for which we were to receive no 
pay. The Bishop then read the article to the chiefs, 
and then asked them how it would do. Between-the- 
Logs answered with a smile, " That will do, brother." 
The Bishop then signed it as the President of the 
conference, and then required all the chiefs to sign it. 
So the interview closed with mutual satisfaction. 



CHARLES WADDLE. 367 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

LANCASTER DISTRICT — 1823-1825. 

I WAS was appointed, this year, to the Lancaster 
district. I gathered up my family, and in a few days 
was safely settled in the town of Lancaster. I soon 
found I had a hard task to perform, having to follow 
Charles Waddle. With the majority of the people 
he was exceedingly popular; but his example was not 
good, and, in the opinion of the wise and prudent, he 
was a very suspicious character. During the previ- 
ous year I had been appointed on a committee to ex- 
amine certain charges preferred against him, and 
truth and righteousness compelled us to make a very 
unfavorable report; and as I was foreman of that 
committee, I had to incur the displeasure of Waddle 
and all his friends. The Rev. Charles Elliott was ap- 
pointed to the Wyandott mission, and J. B. Einley 
superintendent. I was requested by the Bishop to 
assist them. My district was large and lay mostly in 
a sparsely populated country. Over and above my 
ordinary work I had Radicalism to contend with, to- 
gether with the opposition of Waddle. 

The Church, was truly in a bad condition in the 
town of Lancaster. I sent Lydia Barstow off to the 
mission, and as soon as convenient followed, taking 



368 FIFTY YEARS I*f THE ITINERANCY. 

with Die Hannah Barnet, to assist in the domestic 
concerns of the mission family. I found brother El- 
liott on the spot in the midst of a glorious revival. 
Brother Finley not being present, Elliott took the 
supervision of the whole concern himself, calling on 
the Wyandott chiefs, and Isaac Walker — white man — 
his interpreter ; Jonathan Pointer — colored man — an- 
other interpreter, and the Bev. John Stewart — colored 
man — his assistant for the time being. 

At this time I feel it to be my duty to say some- 
thing about the Bev. John Stewart. When I first 
knew this man he was living in Marietta. At one of 
our revivals in that country he joined the Church and 
became very pious, and considering the disadvantages 
under which he labored — being a colored man — he 
was remarkable for his fidelity and good sense. By 
some means, not fully known to me, he thought he 
had a call from God to preach to the Indians. After 
laboring long under those deep impressions, he left 
Marietta and started toward the north. Being led by 
the Spirit of God, as I understand it, he came to the 
Wyandott nation ; but when he arrived there he could 
do nothing, for he could not speak their language, 
and they could not speak English. He spent a num- 
ber of days there, as I sujDpose, a very unhappy man. 
The Indians became suspicious of him; thought he 
was an impostor, and I think they had some notion to 
kill him ; but God raised him up a friend there. A 
good old Indian woman became convinced by a dream, 
or vision, that he was a good man, and the Great 



OHIO LEGISLATURE. 369 

Spirit had sent him there for the benefit of their na- 
tion, and she prevailed on the chiefs to do him no 
harm. At length he became acquainted with a man 
of his own color, Jonathan Pointer — before men- 
tioned — who spoke the Wyandott language fluently, 
and by this man God opened to him an effectual door 
to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to that 
nation, and through his instrumentality the leading 
chiefs were brought to the knowledge of the truth and 
soundly converted to God. Other ministers soon 
came to his help ; but he was the first instrument, in 
the hand of God, in that great work ; and if we are 
to give honor to whom honor is due, he deserves the 
first honor. 

I staid two days at the mission and helped to or- 
ganize the school, which was large and encouraging, 
but almost in a state of starvation. The missionary's 
family and the school-teachers were almost destitute 
of bread, meat, or vegetables. I started back without 
delay to Lancaster, picking up provisions on the way 
and sending them back to the mission. When I came 
to the town of Delaware, I found them quite liberal. 
I staid two days; the Rev. C. Elliott was with me. 
We held a quarterly meeting, and brother Elliott made 
one of his happiest efforts on Saturday night. In his 
discourse he placed the mission and its present condi- 
tion fairly before that numerous audience. 

Elliott returned to Upper Sandusky, and I went on 
to Columbus. I found the Legislature in session, 
introduced myself to Governor Trimble, who was 



370 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

the Speaker of the senate, laid the condition of the 
mission before him, and asked leave to hold a meeting 
in the legislative hall. I also saw Esq. Richardson, 
Speaker of the lower house, and asked the same favor 
of him. I then persuaded Nathan Emory, of pre- 
cious memory, to preach a missionary sermon to both 
houses, in the legislative hall. I then told them what 
we were doing for the Wyandott nation, and what we 
intended to do, by the blessing of divine Providence, 
and made a fair statement of their present condition. 
We appointed the Speakers of the two houses collect- 
ors, and raised a large collection, nearly all in silver. 
We returned thanks to the audience, dismissed them, 
and retired. I went home, bought one hundred bush- 
els of wheat, had it ground at "Ream's Mill," six 
miles below Lancaster, and sold the bran and shorts, 
to pay for flour-barrels. While these preparations 
were going on, I went down to Zanesville, and begged 
from door to door, till I obtained about ten barrels of 
flour, some meat, and other good things for the mis- 
sion and school. By this time, the weather had be- 
come extremely cold, and, the ground being frozen, 
wagons run light. I got my friend, James Hampson, 
Esq., to take my flour, etc., to Upper Sandusky; for 
which, I think, I paid him twenty-five dollars, and 
had then twenty barrels of good flour stored up at 
Lancaster. 

I accomplished more this winter than in any other 
two winters of my life. I had purchased a farm 
near Lancaster, which was very much out of repair. 



CHARLES ELLIOTT. 371 

During the season, I built a house, put the farm in 
good order, planted a large orchard, and performed 
two entire rounds on the district; besides devoting a 
considerable part of my time to the service of the 
mission. Spring of the year came on, and I sent on 
the twenty barrels to Sandusky. The roads had be- 
come exceedingly bad, and I had to pay the wagoner 
ninety- six dollars. 

During this time, Finley had returned to the mis- 
sion. Elliott spent a part of his time in seeking sup- 
plies for the mission. He was a faithful and success- 
ful missionary during the year; and this was just 
what I expected, when I advised Bishop M'Kendree 
to send him there; for I had known him from his 
youth up, and he had been faithful and prosperous in 
every thing he had been appointed to do by the 
Church. As a Christian, he stands pre-eminent; as 
a Gospel minister, considerably above par; as a man 
of science and literature, he has few equals in the 
Methodist Church; and, to crown the whole, he is a 
noble, high-minded, warm-hearted Irishman. 

On my third round, a great and glorious revival 
broke out in Zanesville, another in Columbus, and 
others in various parts of the district. The last of 
the year, we were interrupted by sickness, it being 
one of the most unhealthy seasons I ever knew in 
Ohio. The fever began to rage the last of June. In 
July, my family were down with chills and fever. I 
could procure no help for love or money. The con- 
dition of my neighbors was no better than my own; 



372 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

and, about the first of August, it appeared as if the 
■whole town of Lancaster w r ould die off. Soon, I had 
to nurse my sick family alone, cook their food, and 
give them their medicine. The doctor w r ould come 
in the evening, tell me what to do, and then leave. 
There I would remain till about 4 o'clock in the 
morning; the fever w r ould then abate, and my af- 
flicted family would have a little rest, and myself a 
respite for a few hours. 

In this way, I spent four dreadful weeks. At the 
end of that time, a female friend came to my assist- 
ance, by the name of Arai Turner. My neighbors 
w T ere dying all around me ; there were three or four 
funerals in a day. I would leave home on Friday, to 
attend my quarterly meeting, and, generally, return 
on Monday, by riding a long distance after dark. In 
this way, I closed my first year on Lancaster district; 
and, notwithstanding all my affliction, I left the dis- 
trict in a good condition, and went, with buoyant 
spirits, to conference, w T hich sat this year in Urbana. 
Bishops M'Kendree and Roberts were both present, 
also, most of the members, and we had an interesting 
time. It had been a prosperous year throughout 
our bounds. Although it had been very sickly, the 
preachers were generally healthy, and, from their 
preaching and conversation, I judge, the most of 
them had been baptized with the Holy Ghost during 
the year. 

We had to elect our delegates to the next General 
conference. The spirit of electioneering prevailed 



APPOINTMENTS — DEFICIENCIES. 373 

to some extent, but it was overruled by the more en- 
lightened part of the conference, so that no injury 
was done. I think they made a happy choice. At 
the close, I was reappointed to Lancaster district. 
There were eleven appointments: Hocking, Zarah 
Costin; Fairfield, William Stephens; Muskingum, 
Abner Goff; Granville, Charles Thorn ; Knox, Dan- 
iel Limerick and John Pardo; Mansfield, Shadrach 
Ruark and Orin Gillmore; Wayne, Peter Stephens; 
Huron, Nathan Walker and John Walker; Delaware, 
Thomas M'Clarey; Zanesville circuit, Burrough West- 
lake ; Zanesville station, John P. Durbin. They were 
all faithful and praiseworthy men. 

My family were now growing up around me, and it 
was my duty to educate them, and I was determined 
to do it, at all events. My expenses, from other 
causes, had become greatly increased. My house 
stood on the great thoroughfare from the east to the 
west. As a matter of course, I had to keep a kind 
of Methodist tavern. As I was receiving but a small 
salary, my income would not cover my expenditures. 
My expenses were about four hundred and fifty dol- 
lars per annum ; and one year I was on the district, 
my quarterage did not exceed one hundred and fifty 
dollars. There was no estimate, in those days, for 
fuel or table expenses, nor allowance for house-rent. 
At the close of the year, I found myself minus three 
hundred dollars. 

The force of circumstances compelled me to turn 
my attention to some other business to support my 



374 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

family and educate my children. The conference was 
not willing that I should locate, and I was strongly 
opposed to locating myself. I rented out my farm, 
purchased a wagon and team on credit, hired a wag- 
oner, and went into business, turning all my rest-days 
into working days. Generally, I would leave home 
on Friday, and return on Tuesday, by traveling a 
great deal in the night. 

These incessant labors exhausted my physical and 
intellectual energies. My sermons soon became both 
dry and dull; the arrangement was poor, and the 
people soon began to complain — as well they might. 
They said I had given way to a craving desire after 
riches. All these things led me into many foolish 
and hurtful lusts, piercing my soul through with 
many sorrows. I spent hours, every week, in lonely 
groves, mourning like a dove and chattering like the 
crane. But, still, there was much good done on the 
district, through the instrumentality of others. 

In the spring of 1824, I attended General confer- 
ence again in Baltimore. We had a delightful time. 
It is true the Radical struggle was again renewed: 
but it was plain to be seen, that, like the house of 
Saul, they were growing weaker and weaker. We 
elected two Bishops — Joshua Soule, and Elijah Hed- 
ding. There were two embassadors present from the 
British conference, Richard Reese and Dr. Hannah. 
They were men of superior talents and piety — were 
cordially received, and were made a blessing to the 
conference and the city of Baltimore. The mission- 



SUMMERFIELD. 375 

ary meeting was the most interesting one I ever at- 
tended. Dr. Hannah, William Capers, and Wilbur 
risk were the distinguished speakers on the platform. 

But our own John Summerfield was superior to 
all I had ever seen or heard. His first sermon was 
at Fell's Point. I went early in order to secure a 
convenient seat. Before the preacher reached there, 
the house was crowded to overflowing, and the ground 
filled to the distance of ten steps.all around the meet- 
ing-house. They were obliged to hoist him into the 
windows. I shall not attempt to describe either the 
man or the sermon, for I should certainly do injustice 
to both. I thought, while he was preaching, he looked 
more like an angel than a human being. I heard 
him again in Eutaw Church, and at the Dwight- Street 
missionary meeting. If it would not be going too 
far, we might say that God had poured grace and 
truth into his heart, and that he was wiser than the 
sons of men. 

What was then called the suspended resolution, 
was brought before the conference again, and debated 
for several days, and again suspended for four years 
longer. I believe that Bishop George and Bishop 
Roberts had changed their views on the question of 
electing presiding elders by the conference. Elijah 
Hedding had been a strong advocate for the change 
before his election, but I think his mind was changed, 
for I am sure he never advocated the measure after he 
was ordained. The bishops now appeared to be of one 
mind on every part of the government of our Church. 



376 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

The conference lasted about a month. A vast 
amount of business was transacted. Brotherly love 
prevailed throughout the entire body of ministers. 
The great M'Kendree was there, reduced to a mere 
skeleton — could do but little — Roberts took the lead, 
and presided with great dignity. 

At the close of the conference I mounted my excel- 
lent horse — rode across the Mountains, to my home 
in the west. I had a busy and laborious time during 
the balance of the year, on Lancaster district. My 
quarterly meetings, to a great extent, had lost their 
interest. I had but few camp meetings, and this was 
a dark time in my ministerial career: but, by the 
blessing of God, I weathered the storm till confer- 
ence, which sat in Columbus, when I was returned 
again to the same district. 

I did not wish to come back, and had told the peo- 
ple of my charge that I did not expect to, and I 
believe many were glad, for they thought with me, 
that I was doing very little good on the district, but 
the Bishop would not consent, and said I must finish 
my four years. 

I returned with a heavy heart. During my first 
round, I was greatly disappointed. The people — 
many of them — received me joyfully, and seemed 
satisfied with their presiding elder. Yet it was a 
year of hard struggle — pecuniary difficulties, and 
mental depression. Still, the desire of my aching 
heart was to fear God and get to heaven. 

Now, here I have a word of advice to give to the 



ADVICE TO PREACHERS. 377 

Church. If you wish your ministers to be faithful, 
happy, and useful, always give them a liberal support. 
Don't give grudgingly, like the miser — but like your 
heavenly Father — give bountifully; for, "the laborer 
is worthy of his hire." Let every station and circuit 
be furnished with a good parsonage — well inclosed — 
with a good well and cistern — choice fruit-trees, and 
some pretty shade-trees. And, now, I have a word 
of advice to itinerant ministers: while I call to 
your recollection one of your solemn vows you made 
when you were admitted on trial — to give yourselves 
wholly to God and his work, which was more binding 
than any oath taken before a civil magistrate. When 
you made this solemn vow to almighty God, and the 
Church, then you had no mental reservations, but 
meant what you said, and said what you meant — and 
you intended to fulfill that vow, completely and en- 
tirely, while your heavenly Father gave you health 
and life. Let no circumstances or threatening pros- 
pects of poverty or want, for yourselves and families, 
turn you aside from the path of duty. Remember, 
you are God's messengers ; therefore, rely implicitly 
on God, for your temporal support; for God is both a 
sun and a shield ; he will give you grace and glory, 
and no good thing will he withhold from them who 
walk uprightly. Never let your pious mind become 
divided between God and the world. Be a man of 
one business ; and that God who fed Elijah, by the 
ministry of ravens, will feed and clothe you and your 
families. 

32 



378 FIFTY YEARS IK THE ITIXERAXCY. 

A French king once said to one of his ministers, 
who was complaining of poverty : u ZSTever mind your 
fortune — take care of my kingdom, and I will take 
care of your fortune." 



REV. DAVID YOUNG. 379 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

COLUMBUS AND PICKAWAY CIRCUITS — GEN- 
ERAL CONFERENCE— 1828. 

I attended conference, this year, which met at 
Hillsboro, 1826. We had a gloomy time > having to 
expel one of our most popular preachers, -which threw 
a damper over the feelings of the whole conference. 
Having resigned my charge, the Rev. David Young 
took my place. He was no ordinary man. I must 
say of him as Henry B. Bascom once said of Barna- 
bas M'Henry, that "he was a man by himself" — he 
lived at least fifty years before his time — had some 
early advantages — was reared in good society, and, 
we might say, the best that existed in our country, at 
that time. He was sent early to the best schools that 
could be found, and improved his privileges to great 
advantage. He was highly favored by nature, or 
nature's God. First, physically, he was tall and 
elegantly built — every limb and every part appeared 
about just what it ought to be. A better eye I never 
saw in any man's head. A very commanding counte- 
nance, with his lofty bearing, made a deep impression 
on all gentlemen and ladies of good taste, who en- 
joyed his acquaintance. His voice was clear and very 
musical. His powers of elocution were truly great. 



380 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

As a pulpit orator he had no superior in the great 
"Western conference — Bishop M'Kendree excepted. 
Beauchamp, Parker, Burke, and several others ex- 
celled him as intellectual men, but, in my judgment, 
he stood above them as an orator. David Young was 
a good man. His worth has never been rightly 
appreciated by the Church. He was a good English 
scholar — a gentleman and a Christian minister. May 
the heavens protect him while he lives — give him a 
tranquil death, and then take him home to heaven! 
I was appointed this year to Columbus circuit; 
Samuel Hamilton preacher in charge, and David Young 
my presiding elder. I could now be in Lancaster 
with my family once in two weeks. I worked hard 
on the circuit, and redeemed all the time I possibly 
could to be at home. I carried on farming pretty 
extensively; set my boys to work with my hired 
hands. We passed through the winter very comforta- 
bly ; our meetings were lively and profitable. In the 
month of June my second son, John, was attacked 
with the typhoid fever. He lay a long time and suf- 
fered much. Soon after he began to recover my eld- 
est son, "William M'Kendree, was taken with the 
same disease, and after suffering twenty-nine days, 
his soul left its clay tenement. About a week previ- 
ous to his sickness I had taken him to a camp meet- 
ing. During the meeting he was much exercised in 
his mind concerning the salvation of his soul. I be- 
lieve he was penitent, and he said God had converted 
his soul. When he reached home lie said to one of 



DEATH IN THE FAMILY. 381 

his aunts, "Aunt Rachel, I found religion at the 
camp meeting." As he had always been of a lively 
turn of mind, she thought he was joking. He re- 
plied, "Well, if you won't believe me I can't help it; 
but I know it for myself." Although only fourteen 
years of age, he appeared to die happy. His mother 
was very sick at the same time, and I thought it best 
to take her up stairs where she could be quiet and 
have better air. She thought her son would die soon, 
and as she did not expect to see him again, she took a 
final leave of him and gave him her last motherly 
instruction, sprinkling his dying face with many tears. 
He replied, "Mother, give yourself no more trouble 
about me, for when you get to heaven you will surely 
see me there." This was the heaviest stroke that 
ever befell me. This boy was the joy and delight of 
my heart. He was very large of his age. His whole 
system was equal to any thing I ever saw. He had a 
good intellect, and his natural courage was great. In 
truth I was proud of my son ; he was my idol, and 
the Lord took him from the evil to come. I have 
never entirely recovered from the shock. 

About the same time I thought I should have lost 
my wife; but the Lord had mercy upon us and raised 
her up again from the very gates of death. Truly an 
hour of great darkness passed over me at that time; 
but the Lord Jehovah, in whom is everlasting strength, 
heard my plaintive cry, drew me out of many waters, 
and set my feet in a large place. 

I closed my year's labor on the circuit with little 



382 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

comfort to myself, and less to the people. This year 
the conference met at Cincinnati. When I left home 
for conference, I was very sick ; was contending with 
the same fever with which my son died ; I suffered 
greatly on my journey ; the preachers appeared to 
take very little interest in me — I would travel alone 
all day, eat but little, and doctor myself at night 
when I got into my bed-room ; and what rendered 
my case almost desperate was, that I had very little 
religion. I thought the hand of God was heavy on 
my dear family for my wickedness and unfaithful- 
ness. When night came on I could not sleep ; I often 
felt that I was forsaken both by God and man. 
Wearisome days and sleepless nights were my por- 
tion, but in my darkest hours I fully expected to 
go to heaven when I left this world of sorrow, for I 
relied entirely on the great atonement; there was 
a still small voice whispering in my ear, saying, "With 
all his faults he is mine. I chastise with the rod, but 
my loving kindness I will not utterly take from him." 
When I reached the city of Cincinnati, I met with 
my old, long-tried friend, Bishop M'Kendree ; he 
took me to his room, instructed and comforted me. 
It made me think of the good Samaritan and the 
wounded man who fell among thieves on his way 
from Jerusalem to Jericho. The Bishop acted the 
part of the Samaritan, and I was in the condition 
of the wounded man — his sweet words were like the 
oil and the wine. I was greatly comforted, and took 
an active part in the business of the conference. 



DELEGATES — JOSEPH COOPER. 383 

At this time, we elected delegates to the General 
conference of 1828 : John Collins, David Young, 
James B. Finley, Greenbury R. Jones, Russel Bige- 
low, and Jacob Young were elected; we had a 
quiet and peaceful election, the electioneering spirit 
did not prevail as it had done four years before. 
Radicalism was dying away, and we were falling into 
the pleasant practice of primitive Methodism. Bishop 
M'Kendree was still feeble ; George and Soule trans- 
acted most of the conference business. 

I was appointed to Pickaway circuit. Benjamin 
Cooper was my colleague. As he died early, very 
little has been said of him as a Christian or minister. 
I will make a few passing remarks on his character. 

He was the son of the well-known Joseph Cooper, 
one of the first settlers in Muskingum county, Ohio. 
He erected, on Jonathan's creek, the first mill in 
that part of the country, and opened his cabin door 
to receive Methodist preachers — there the first pio- 
neers in Ohio found a home, and were comfortably 
entertained by the pious Joseph and his godly wife. 
Robert Manly, Asa Shinn, James Quinn, John Culli- 
son, James Axley, and John Meek, were among those 
itinerant evangelists. I never can forget Joseph 
Cooper ; he used to follow me from one appointment 
to another, and I don't know but he has heard me 
preach a hundred sermons. It would be hard to find 
a better man. His son Benjamin was much like his 
father, a man of deep-toned, heaven-born piety, with 
a good understanding and warm heart. He was a 



384 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

pleasant colleague ; his constitution being slender he 
soon wore out, and lias long been numbered with 
the dead. "While I am making these remarks, I have 
no doubt but he is in heaven. 

This year I had some prosperity, but still my cup 
was a mixed one. I often sang when traveling by 
myself, 

'•"What peaceful hours I once enjoyed," etc. 

The first thing I did this year was to rent my town 
property, and move on to my farm in the country. 
I went to work on my circuit with a settled purpose 
to do all within my power for the glory of God and 
the good of his Church; I regulated all the classes, 
turning out those who were not fit to belong ; making 
new class-papers, and appointing leaders wherever 
it was necessary. I found a great many reliable men 
on this pleasant field of labor, who greatly assisted 
me in carrying on the Lord's work, such as Jacob 
Claypole, a man of more than ordinary talents and 
general information, of great integrity — and a true 
patriot, a friend to his country, as well as to the 
Church of God; also, the long-suffering and pious 
Elijah Spurgeon, the honest George Tongue, "William 
Tallman ; the pious, energetic, and successful John 
Crouse, who was an extraordinary man. He began 
the world poor, and by honest industry became rich. 
Before he was old, he was soundly converted to God. 
He led a consistent life till the day of his death ; 
when his estate became so large that he could not 



JOHN CROUSE— DYER ALLEN. 385 

manage it himself, he wisely and prudently divided 
it among his children, reserving ten thousand dollars 
in bank-stock and a comfortable home for himself 
and wife ; he then bestowed all that he did not need 
for his own support — he lived long and died happy. 
A shrewd man once made this remark, "John Grouse 
is a far wiser man than Solomon, who got rich in 
. this world only ; John Grouse laid up riches in the 
kingdom of heaven also." 

At the same time, I formed an intimate acquaint- 
ance with Dyer Allen, who lived in the town of 
Royalton, Fairfield county, Ohio ; he, too, began 
the world poor, but before he was forty years old he 
had accumulated quite an estate. About this time 
he embraced religion, and united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He took the advice of Solomon, 
whatever his hand found to do he did with his might, 
but he was exceedingly careful that his hand should 
find nothing to do unless he could turn it to great 
advantage. He was a far-seeing man, of great deci- 
sion of character ; he laid his plans for accumulating 
property, and carried them out to the admiration of 
all wise men that knew him ; he was truly an honest 
man, of uncommon industry and economy; he was 
a close calculator and collector, yet he was kind to 
the poor, and always ready to support the Church of 
God. His house, for many years, was a pleasant 
home for the Lord's ministers. He was an en- 
lightened patriot, a pious Christian, and delighted in 

the prosperity of his country as well as the Church. 

33 



380 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

He was a special friend to education ; and as a proof 
of this, he donated a farm to Delaware College, 
worth eighteen thousand dollars. A vast majority 
of the American people do not work enough, but 
some few work too much ; our beloved friend Allen 
belonged to the latter class ; in his last years he was 
a great sufferer, and lost his speech; but we hope 
he died in peace. 

We had unusually large congregations, and lively 
class meetings, and considerable ingathering all 
around the circuit. I could often be at home with 
my family who lived in the bounds of my charge. 
By hard labor and economy, I had made my habita- 
tion comfortable, which, unfortunately, I sold at a 
very reduced price. 

In the spring of the year, I had to leave my work, 
to attend the General conference, in Pittsburg. The 
road was exceedingly bad. Workmen were busily en- 
gaged in making a National turnpike from Zanesville 
to Wheeling. The journey was an unpleasant one 
to me. I had a large sum of money to carry in my 
saddle-bags, and the cashier was foolish enough to let 
it be known. I feared the rude Irishmen working on 
the pike might, by some means, find it out, and give 
me some trouble. But, by the good providence of 
God, I passed on safely, and discharged the important 
trust to the satisfaction of all the officers of the Lan- 
caster Bank. I was sent to board with an old ac- 
quaintance, by the name of James Grey, who had 
been recently married to a Philadelphia lady. They 



THE RADICAL REFORM. 387 

were showy people, and were great friends to General 
Jackson. Her daughter was a fine singer, played on 
the piano, sang Jackson songs, and, I believe, during 
the conference, made a number of proselytes to Jack- 
son. They boarded seventeen preachers, and kept a 
splendid table, more suitable for British lords than 
poor Methodist preachers. Beside a great variety 
of meats and condiments, they furnished liquors, 
such as beer, ale, cider, wine, and even brandy. 
Some of the preachers seemed to enjoy it well, but 
it was very disagreeable to me. 

We had an important and interesting time. The 
bishops were all present, and in good health, except 
M'Kendree. There were a number of strong men 
in attendance — John Emory, S. George Roszel, Wil- 
bur Fisk, William Winans, William Capers, John 
Early, Nathan Bangs, and many others. The great 
Radical reform, as they called it, was still in progress, 
and it was the opinion of the most intellectual and 
pious members of the conference, that it had pro- 
gressed as far as it could within the pale of the 
Church, and that the Reformers must either submit 
to the Discipline or retire and set up for themselves. 
In this particular, they acted like men. The first 
thing the conference attempted was, to ascertain how 
far Radicalism had affected the Church; and learn 
what portion of the ministry and membership were 
in favor of the change. In order to reach this point, 
a judicious committee, of seventeen members, was 
appointed, to whom was referred all the memorials, 



FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



petitions, etc., that had reference to the reform. 
After laboring, almost incessantly, ten days, they 
brought in their report. I speak advisedly, when I 
say, that it was the best I ever heard; and, I believe, 
brother Shinn thought so too; for, as soon as the 
report was read, he sprang to his feet, and moved its 
adoption, and that five thousand copies be printed for 
circulation. It appeared, as far as the laity were 
concerned, throughout the whole connection, that 
there were about thirty opposed to the change, to 
every one in favor of it. Among the preachers, a vast 
majority were opposed to such a reform. Shinn' s two 
motions prevailed. 

These questions being settled, we adjourned, and 
went to our dinners. While Shinn and myself were 
walking, arm in arm, to our boarding-house, he ap- 
peared absorbed in thought. At length he brok^ 
silence, by saying, "Well, the thing has resulted al- 
together different from my expectations. I thought 
the majority of the laity were in favor of it; for that 
reason, I was in favor of it. I have always thought 
that the majority ought to rule, inasmuch as the ma- 
jority are opposed to it." He said he thought that, 
certainly, the majority of the traveling preachers were 
in favor of having the presiding elders elected by 
their conferences, instead of having them appointed 
by the bishops; but I find them opposed to the 
change, therefore, I am opposed to it; for it is noth- 
ing but a factious spirit which makes a minority wish 
to rule a majority. I then replied, we may now sup- 



THE SUSPENDED RESOLUTIONS. 389 

pose the painful struggle is at an end. I think he 
said, "J hope so." On our way, we met a number of 
both the clergy and laity, all in fine spirits, and de- 
lighted with the report which had been just read. 
Shinn appeared as happy as any of them. It is my 
opinion that he had entirely given up the controversy, 
and was determined to live and die in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he had been an eminent 
and useful minister for many years. 

The afternoon session came on, and we soon dis- 
covered that we had on hand a vast amount of busi- 
ness, some of which was of a very disagreeable nature, 
which would excite much feeling, and elicit powerful 
argument. Some time, during the conference, the 
old suspended resolutions were called up, I think, 
by Daniel Ostrander, and a few feeble remarks were 
offered in their favor, when some brother remarked 
that they were now dead and buried, he hoped, to rise 
no more. At that, Ostrander took the floor again, 
and said, "Let not that brother deceive himself, for 
those resolutions will have a resurrection ; they must 
and shall be resuscitated, every four years, till they 
are passed into a law." No one made any reply. I 
can not now recollect the order in which every thing 
came before the conference, but will notice them as 
they occur to my mind. 

The first was an appeal by a brother Randall, from 
a decision of the New England conference, by which 
he was expelled from the Methodist Episcopal Church 
for heterodoxy. It could be seen that many of the 



890 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

strongest members took an interest in that appeal. 
Nathan Bangs and Lawrence M' Combs, were hold- 
ing caucuses in a room adjoining my bed-room almost 
every day. John Emory and Wilbur Fisk appeared 
to be deeply interested ; I perceived they had a secret 
among them, and I determined to find it out. As I 
knew M' Combs liked to tell every thing he knew, I 
began in a round-about way to draw it out of him. In 
a short time I was in the possession of the whole 
secret. It was simply this: Bishop Soule had 
preached a very popular sermon, on the perfect law 
of liberty, before the South Carolina conference, and 
at their request the sermon was published. These 
eastern critics thought it contained the same hetero- 
doxy for which brother Randall was expelled, and if 
they could convict him before the General conference, 
they might convict Bishop Soule, also. I had been 
aware, for several years, that some of those great men 
were no friends to Bishop Soule; and I had no doubt 
that if they could gain the advantage they would 
remove him from his Episcopacy. Dr. Fisk delivered 
a speech which consumed three hours, one of the 
ablest I ever listened to, and it might all have been 
called a severe criticism on Soule's sermon. When 
he had closed his mammoth speech, John Emory arose 
and stood awhile like a man lost in thought, then 
remarked, " I don't know that the sermon contains 
heterodoxy, and I don't know but it does." I feared 
they would do mischief; accordingly I took the case to 
Bishop M'Kendree, alone. Although he did not say 



WILBUR FISK— BISHOP SOULE. 391 

there was any thing wrong in Bishop Soule's sermon, 
yet I think he did not altogether approve of it. The 
decision of the New England conference was con- 
firmed, but after all the display of rhetoric, logic, the- 
ology, philosophy, and history, that entered into the 
composition of Wilbur Fisk's masterly speech, I was 
not convinced that he had convicted the appellant of 
heterodoxy, and when the vote was taken, I voted 
alone against the decision of the New England con- 
ference, for I could find all the doctrines that the 
appellant preached in Eletcher and Benson, with the 
exception of one article, and I thought he fell into 
that because he did not understand himself. I was 
fully satisfied in my own mind that brother Fisk felt 
little anxiety about the appeal, but was leveling his 
heavy artillery against Bishop Soule's sermon on the 
perfect law of liberty. I had read the sermon with a 
great deal of care, and I could see from the drift of 
Fisk's arguments that he had done the same — that he 
understood it well, and was laboring with all his inge- 
nuity to show the General conference that the sermon 
contained heterodoxy. Bishop Soule understood him 
just as I did, for I took occasion to converse with the 
Bishop after the case was decided ; and what satisfied 
me still further on that point, was that as soon as the 
appeal was over, there was a motion made by a mem- 
ber of the General conference to appoint a committee 
to examine the sermon written by Bishop Soule on 
the perfect law of liberty, to see and report to the 
conference, if it contained heterodoxy. During all 



392 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

this time the Bishop sat in his chair and appeared to 
possess his soul in patience. 

The next morning I met brother Fisk, coming to 
the conference-room He was as pleasant as the 
flowers of May, took me by the hand, laughing and 
said, "I am very sorry I could not convince you yes- 
terday." I made this reply : " It is highly probable 
that you will be a bishop before long, and when your 
tongue is tied up in the chair, some sprightly young 
man may dress you off as you did the Bishop yes- 
terday." He laughed pleasantly and said "if such 
a thing ever should take place, I will give you my word 
that I will defend myself." The committee reported 
on the subject, but could not find heterodoxy in the 
sermon — so the matter ended, and those brethren 
who were active in getting up the committee, were 
disappointed. 

The next case that came before the conference, 
was the appeal of Dennis B. Dorsey. He had been 
charged, before the Baltimore conference, with in- 
veighing against the Discipline of our Church, and 
of sowing discord in the societies — by circulating 
a periodical called Mutual Rights. Being found 
guilty, he was either silenced or expelled, I forget 
which. He did not attend General conference in 
person, but employed Asa Shinn and John Emory to 
defend his cause. George Boszel was appointed to 
defend the administration. Asa Shinn took the 
lead in the debate. He admitted that the appellant 
had circulated the Mutual Rights, but there was 



A HOME THRUST. 393 

nothing wrong in that. Although it might contain 
some things exceptional, yet upon the whole it was 
an excellent periodical. Shinn and Emory placed 
the laboring oar in the hand of Roszel. It devolved 
upon him now to show that the Mutual Rights was 
hostile to the best interests of the Church. 

Roszel was ready for them — he had many of the 
numbers of that periodical before him, and the places 
marked that he wished to use. He commenced read- 
ing extracts, and read a long article written by Young 
Timothy against Bishop Hedding. He read on till 
he came to one that styled himself "Vindex," known 
to be the celebrated Henry B. Bascom. The author 
was sitting right before him, while he read. At 
length he came to a certain place where Vindex 
handled Roszel very severely, calling him, My Lord, 
Archbishop of Canterbury, who rides on the wings of 
the wind, and directs the storm — and tithes bishops 
at pleasure. Here Roszel made a full stop. "As for 
Vindex," he said "he is a low-bred man, and nothing 
can supply the want of good breeding. You may take 
a low-bred man, and make him a scholar, make him 
an eloquent orator ; but his low breeding will always 
appear through life. I recollect once in my life, I 
was called to see a learned pig — he could spell my 
name, and the name of any man, and do many won 
derful things. I began to think it was some super- 
natural being ; but after they got through, it grunted, 
and I saw it was nothing but a pig!" At that moment, 
Bascom sprang to his feet, started to his boarding- 



394 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

house, and took his bed. He sent for Dr. Sellers. 
When the Doctor came he had a high fever. The 
next morning, the Doctor called to see him, and he 
was still worse. Dr. Sellers came to the conference 
rather playfully, and remarked, " Brother Bascom is 
very sick, and I don't know but he will die — if he 
does, I shall charge his death upon brother Roszel." 

Asa Shinn became exceedingly zealous in defense 
of his client. He occupied nearly all the time. I 
sat by him and watched him very closely. His face 
would, at times, become red. I apprehended there 
was a great determination of blood to the brain. He 
labored incessantly. When he left the conference- 
room he became entirely deranged, and his friends 
were compelled to take him to the city of Baltimore. 
The pleadings in Dorsey's case being finished, the 
vote was taken, and the decision of the Baltimore 
conference sustained. 

The next case that came up was Bishop Hedding's. 
" Young Timothy," in the Mutual Bights, had said 
some hard things about him, which were calculated to 
injure the Bishop's character, and he found it had, to a 
certain extent. The Bishop thought the conference 
ought to examine the case. The conference were 
entirely satisfied that the Bishop did nothing amiss; 
but he insisted upon being put on his trial before the 
Episcopal committee. He invited "Young Timothy" 
to be present at the investigation, which was conducted 
with much discretion and good sense. The Bishop and 
committee all treated "Young Timothy" with a great 



HEDDING— CANADA QUESTION. 395 

deal of tenderness. "Young Timothy" took back all 
he had said derogatory to the character of the Bishop ; 
and accordingly the Bishop was acquitted. I will now 
say that Bishop Hedding had done nothing wrong in 
the case alluded to by " Young Timothy," nor in any 
other case, for he was incapable of doing wrong. 
Bishop Hedding knew what was right and what was 
wrong as well as any man I ever knew, and his heart 
was as pure as his head was clear. 

The next that came up was the Canada question. 
This was what I shall here call a vexed question. It 
gave the brethren in Canada and the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in the United States a vast amount of 
trouble, and was on hand for many years ; but by the 
exercise of a high degree of Christian fortitude, and 
that charity that is long-suffering and kind, it was 
finally settled to the glory of God and the mutual sat- 
isfaction and benefit of the parties concerned. There 
is a friendly relation between the two Churches to this 
day. All the naughty questions being disposed of, 
we went on with our regular business. The Radicals 
saw clearly they must hold their peace or retire. 
When we were through, and the journals read and 
signed, we parted in great peace, not expecting ever 
to meet again at another General conference. 

In a few days I was at work on my circuit. We 
held a camp meeting near Royalton. We had a good 
supply of ministerial help, who filled the pulpit and 
labored at the altar to great advantage. We had a 
time long to be remembered; many were awakened 



396 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

and converted to God. "We closed the meeting with 
a large accession to the Church. The next camp 
meeting was held near Kingston, and a numerous 
concourse of people attended from the beginning to 
the end. There were a large number of preachers 
on the ground; but we had a cold, barren time, and 
few conversions during the whole meeting. I now 
prepared for conference, which sat, this year, in 
Chillicothe, 1828. This was an eventful year in my 
history — some few bright spots, but many dark and 
gloomy ones. I left my circuit in good order, and 
made a good report to conference. 



FAIRFIELD CIRCUIT — RADICALISM. 397 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

FAIRFIELD AND MARIETTA CIRCUITS-1828-9. 

My next appointment was on Fairfield circuit; Da- 
vid Young presiding elder. The circuit was large 
and the numerical strength great. There were many 
substantial Methodists who resided within our bounds. 
The spirit of Radicalism ran high about this time. I 
soon found that brother Springer was the chief man 
among them, he being my colleague, and I expected 
some trouble, but determined to do the best within 
my power. As soon as convenient I met him in 
order to make a proper division of the work, and fix 
our plans for the year. He proposed, shortly after- 
ward, to say nothing about the reform — but go on 
and faithfully do the work assigned us as true yoke- 
fellows in the Gospel. We parted, as I thought, with 
this understanding. Our congregations were large, 
our class meetings and prayer meetings well attended, 
lively, and profitable. All this time the Radical 
excitement was going on with great rapidity — I had 
seen symptoms of it in two or three congregations. 
Our presiding elder came on filled with the spirit of 
his Master. We had a good quarterly meeting. 

In the beginning of the second quarter, to my 
utter astonishment, I found my colleague was trying 



398 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

secretly to make proselytes. Some cunning men took 
undue pains to lead him out on the subject. They 
discovered that he was trying to lay a plan to form a 
Radical circuit on the same ground we then occupied. 
I was particularly acquainted with all that he was 
doing — I said nothing, but attended closely to my 
work. Toward the close of the quarter, when I sup- 
pose he thought his plans matured, he gave notice to 
the elder that he intended to withdraw from the 
Church at our next quarterly meeting. The elder 
accepted his resignation, and David Lewis stepped 
into his place. When brother Springer took his 
leave, he wept freely — he thought his honor bound 
him to go. They had turned out some of the leading 
men in Baltimore. Dr. Jennings was among them — 
others had left. Also some prominent men had with- 
drawn in Pittsburg. Among them was the Rev. 
Charles Avery. Others had left in Steubenville and 
many other places. We had a rousing quarterly 
meeting. The work went on with increasing interest, 
till the close of the year. Brother Springer and 
one Judge Richmond undertook to form a Radical 
circuit out of ours, but they gained but few members — 
I think not more than ten or a dozen on the whole 
round. Never, in my opinion, were two men more 
disappointed. Near the Muskingum river they had a 
little better success. They made a proselyte of an 
excellent old man by the name of M' Crack en, an 
able minister of forty years' standing; when he went, 
a number followed him. I do not suppose that Achil- 



ALEXANDER M'CRACKEN. 399 

Jes, when he slew Hector, felt more triumphant, or 
that he gained a greater victory than Judge Rich- 
mond did, when he took Alexander M'Cracken into 
the Radical Church — but their triumph was of short 
duration. On my next round, at a place called Chil- 
coat's meeting-house, I was met by a messenger from 
Judge Hood, who requested me to come to Somerset, 
as soon as possible. I did so, and when I reached 
Hood's house, I found father M'Cracken, up stairs, 
walking the room by himself. After the common 
salutations were passed, we both seated ourselves. 
He told me he had sent for me to see if I could tell 
him what to do; "For," said he, U I have partly 
ruined myself; these people, called Radicals, are 
around me — a number have joined them, and I believe 
my name is among the rest ; I never once thought 
of leaving the Methodist Church, but supposed they 
were just forming themselves into a society, to bring 
about a change in some of the rules in our Discipline, 
and still remain members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church ; but, to my astonishment, I found in a few 
days, that they were enemies, and bitter persecu- 
tors. This I never can stand, for if my mother was 
alive, I would rather hear people speak against her, 
than to hear them speak evil of the Methodist Church. 
And now I want to know if you can tell me what to 
do — how I can get back into the Church." " 0, yes," 
I replied, " I can tell you very easily: just go to quar- 
terly meeting next Saturday, rise up and tell them 
what you have done, and that you are sorry for it, 



400 FIFTY YEARS IK THE ITIHEBAHGT. 

and wish to come back/ 3 "But," said he, "do you 
think they will receive me?" "Most certainly, " I 
replied, " and if yon will go and make application, I 
will be your security." " Well," said he, " I'll try it." 
I told him I had an appointment in town, to-morrow, 
and would like to have him preach for me. He said 
he would, with all his heart. They began to whisper 
round town, that M'Cracken was at Judge Hood's, 
and that they had seen Young going down there, 
they believed, after him. Richmond thought we 
should be disappointed. The next day, however, he 
preached for us, which confirmed them in the belief 
that he was coming back to the Church of his choice. 
When he was asked, he told them he was. Judge 
Richmond had said he was one of the greatest men 
we had among us — equal to any of our bishops — but 
when he found he was retracing his steps, he replied, 
"Ah well, let him go! he is deeply in his dotage, any 
how — Young has taken the advantage of his weak- 
ness in his old age." The old gentleman got safe 
back into the fold — lived a long time, turned many to 
righteousness, and died in the triumphs of a living 
faith. Brother Lewis and myself paid very little 
more attention to the Radicals. We preached night 
and day. and attended closely to our regular work. 

We held a camp meeting near Rushville. Bishop 
M'Kendree was there; he spent almost a week at my 
house before the meeting began. Although this was 
near the close of his useful life, when he arrived on 
the camp-ground, he appeared to possess all the vigor 



M'KENDREE — DAVID LEWIS. 401 

of youth. He preached four or five excellent ser- 
mons during the meeting ; and I thought they were 
as well arranged, and delivered with as much ease, 
energy, and success, as in his best days, when not 
more than forty-five years of age. This was the last 
interview I ever had with that man of God. When I 
begin to write about Bishop M'Kendree I know not 
where to stop. 1 have known many good and great 
men, but M'Kendree excelled them all. I am sorry 
to say his cotemporaries have not done him justice; 
though he was highly honored in life, posterity will 
know nothing about him. No one has ever written 
such a life of him as he deserved ; and, I might say, 
in the language of Pope, " There is hardly a stone to 
tell where he lies." 

At the close of our camp meeting we admitted 
about one hundred on probation, which closed my 
labors on Fairfield circuit. I had to give the parting 
hand to our beloved brother David Lewis, who was 
one of the best colleagues I ever traveled with. 

Conference sat this year in Urbana — 1829. My 
appointment was Marietta circuit. I had much diffi- 
culty in removing my family over a broken country, 
bad roads, and with a weakly wife. In good time we 
arrived safe in Point Harmar — stopped at the door 
of James Whitney, Esq., who having helped us over 
the Muskingum river, we drove to the house they 
had provided for us. Although it was not very com- 
fortable, we resolved not to complain, but do our best 

in improving it with our own hands. I laid in a good 

34 



402 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

stock of provision, and went to work with my might. 
The circuit was large and lay upon rough ground. I 
found the societies low in religion — little attention 
was paid to class meetings. There were many com- 
plaints of members walking disorderly — there was 
considerable dram-drinking, etc. Rev. Leroy Sworm- 
stedt had been on the circuit the two years before. 
He was in his prime, and full of vigor. He had been 
favored with revivals in almost every congregation ; 
but, since he had left there was a reaction, and every 
thing appeared rather in a bad condition. We turned 
out some, took in others, and, hj the time our first 
quarterly meeting came on we thought we had our 
circuit pretty well regulated. Brother Hamilton was 
my colleague. He was a man of gentle spirit — he 
soothed the sorrows of the people — comforted their 
hearts, and led them on in the good and right way. 
If there was any reproof to be administered, and dis- 
cipline to be attended to, I had to do it. David 
Young was our presiding elder. He was faithful and 
prompt to discharge all the duties connected with his 
office. He reminded me of the great itinerant evan- 
gelist, who traversed Asia Minor, during the early 
period of the Christian religion. 

Our first quarterly meeting was good and pleasant, 
but no revival attended it — the second was much bet- 
ter. We had, by this time, a good work going on at 
Duck creek. We gathered in a goodly number of 
faithful souls, at old Thomas Porter's ; we had, also, 
an increase in Barlow; another in Boxbury, which 



PROSPEROUS MEETINGS. 403 

continued during the conference year. Brother 
Swormstedt, when he was traveling here, established 
a general class meeting in Marietta, which met every 
Monday evening. This meeting was productive of 
great good, both to Marietta and Point Harmar. 
We still kept them up. The entire membership on 
both sides of the river took a lively interest in them. 
A large number were converted at these meetings, 
first and last. I do not remember that we had one 
barren meeting throughout the year. Our altar was 
generally crowded with mourners, either seeking for 
justification by faith, or sanctification by the opera- 
tion of the Holy Spirit; and, I believe, many ob- 
tained the blessing of perfect love, at these delight- 
ful and profitable class meetings. Our Presbyterian 
brethren enjoyed these meetings well, and were 
greatly profited by them, especially the pious Dud- 
ley Woodbridge, sen.; also, the Rev. Mr. Bingham, 
who was pastor of the Presbyterian Church, in Mari- 
etta, at that time. He had a good mind and a be- 
nevolent heart; and, as far as I could judge, from his 
life and conversation, he possessed a catholic spirit, 
and breathed it in the pulpit — in his pastoral visits — 
and in his intercourse with the citizens in general. 
He occasionally attended and enjoyed those times of 
refreshing from the presence of the Lord. One 
evening I called upon him to conduct the exercises. 
I presume some of the brethren thought he would be 
embarrassed. This thought was indicated by a pleas- 
ant smile that played on their countenances, but they 



404 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

soon saw that he was at no loss at all. He thereby 
showed himself to be a man of God, thoroughly fur- 
nished into every good work. The pious John Craw- 
ford had just come to his zenith, in those palmy days 
for Marietta. I might say in truth, without under- 
valuing the labors of other ministers, either local or 
traveling, that he was the chief instrument in car- 
rying on the work of God in that place; not only 
for the time alluded to, but for many years afterward. 
Our long-tried friend, James Whitney, Esq., took a 
very active part in every thing that concerned the 
Church, both in Marietta and Point Harmar. There 
were several good men there — Robert Crawford, Wil- 
lis Hall, Daniel Pratsman, and James Dunn, all valua- 
ble men in the Church of Christ. It was truly good 
and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity. 
Our third quarterly meeting was held in Waterford. 
We had a very good time. Our elder made some of 
his happiest efforts. The Rev. Joseph Carper was 
with us — these were the days of his strength and 
prosperity — the people were so much pleased with 
him, they petitioned the Bishop to send him there 
next year. There lived in Waterford, at this time, a 
very conspicuous family, by the name of Bowen — 
men of great energy and decision of character — two 
of them were physicians, the other two good business 
men — they had an amiable sister who was the orna- 
ment and bond of the family. We brought them all 
to the very threshold of the Church, but could not 
bring them in* When money was called for to sup- 



CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 405 

port preachers — to send missionaries to foreign 
lands — to circulate Bibles, or to build churches, 
they were always ready to give liberally; and there 
they remain to the present day. 

As the warm weather came on — my wife's health 
being poor — she thought she could no longer endure 
the toils of an itinerant life, and requested me to 
move her back to our little home in Virginia ; I did 
so, and then returned to finish my year's labor, which 
was closed pleasantly. I was able to make a good 
report to conference, which met this year in Lancas- 
ter — 1830 — my old home. 



406 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

TRANSFER — WEST LIBERTY AND OHIO CIR- 
CUIT S.— 1830-1 . 

Although I had been absent but one year, our 
neighbors received me as if I had come from a far 
country. We had a full attendance. The preachers 
were in good health and spirits. Bishop Soule was our 
president. About the third day of the conference, a 
revival broke out — increasing in interest till the close. 

This was among the happiest conferences I ever 
attended. Agreeably to my request I was transferred 
from Ohio to the Pittsburg conference, and my ap- 
pointment was West Liberty circuit. 

Before I left the conference-room I received a mes- 
sage from the venerable Michael Ellis, requesting me 
to come and see him without delay. He was then 
lying on his death-bed. He was one of the oldest 
preachers in the Methodist connection, and had been 
a laborious and successful minister for more than 
fifty years, having commenced his itinerant career in 
the days of Wesley, long before the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church was organized — was, for many years, 
associated with Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat. He 
was a sound theologian — an experimental and prac- 
tical Christian — his theme in the pulpit was perfect 



IMPORTANT ERA OF LIFE. 407 

love, and- his life and conversation corresponded with 
his preaching. He was one of the most venerable 
men I ever looked upon. Yet, notwithstanding his 
long and useful services, the Church has known little 
or nothing about him since his death. 

There is a strange kind of partiality discoverable 
in writing the lives of the ministers of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Some men who have done but 
little, are lauded and extolled very high, while others 
who have lived long, and done much, are suffered to 
sink into oblivion. What will the next generation of 
Methodists know about William M'Kendree ? 

I left Lancaster with the intention of seeing my 
venerable friend — unfortunately I missed my road — 
became lost, and could not reach his house. He died, 
and I saw him no more. My consolation is, that he 
rests from his labors, and his works will follow him. 

This year begins with an important period in my 
history. Before the conference closed, my eyes be- 
came highly inflamed — so much so that I could hardly 
read my Bible, or even walk the streets. I applied 
for relief to the celebrated Dr. M'Neal. He did his 
best to help me, while I had time to stay with him. 
I rode to Waterford, on the Muskingum, in great 
pain. Here I fell in with Dr. George Bowen, who 
made a different prescription. I pursued my journey 
till I reached the West Fork of Duck creek, Monroe 
county. Here I spent the Sabbath day — tried to 
preach — found my eyes were in a desperate condition, 
and I was very much alarmed. When I would look 



408 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

at the Bible it would look like half a dozen Bibles; 
and when I would look at a man's face it had the 
appearance of several faces. When I would look at 
a white house it seemed like many houses. On my 
way to Wheeling, the weather became very cold for 
the season, and a strong east wind met me fully in 
the face, for two whole days, while I was traveling; 
but, by the good providence of God, I arrived at my 
own home, on Pleasant Point, near a large stone 
chapel, on Short creek, Ohio county, Virginia. 

As the doctors had done me no good, I commenced 
practicing on myself. My wife and two sons were in 
rather bad circumstances. There was no parsonage 
on the circuit, and my own house was in a dilapidated 
condition. It had been rented for several years. 
The first thing that I had to do was to cure my eyes, 
by local and general depletion. By a rigid course, 
for about ten days, the inflammation became much 
reduced, and, I thought, the disease was removed. 
But the condition of my family compelled me to go 
to work too soon. In the course of three or four 
days, my eyes were worse than they ever had been, 
and it was the opinion of my friends that, in a short 
time, I would be entirely blind. I then put myself 
under the care of the best doctors I could find. By 
this time, I was shut off from the literary world, and 
could neither read nor write. From this disease, I 
have never fully recovered. But the Church of God 
stood in need of my labors, and, blind as I was, I 
took the circuit, which was small. I made my first 



L. L. HAMLINE. 409 

round in two weeks, and had very large congrega- 
tions at every place. I soon heard the Macedonian 
cry from an adjacent circuit. I naturally inquired, 
what was the matter ? The reply was, " Our preacher 
has left us." The preacher's name was Robert C. 
Hatten. He was appointed there, but, instead of 
going, he went to Steubenville and preached for the 
Radicals; although, for reasons best known to himself, 
he never joined them. 

The circuit was left vacant. The presiding elder, 
and some of the distinguished members, requested 
me to connect the Ohio circuit with mine — West Lib- 
erty. They called a meeting of the officers of both 
circuits, who agreed to unite for the present year, 
and solicited me to travel the circuits together, and 
procure help, if I could. To this proposition I 
agreed, and went into the work. I was very little 
acquainted with the Pittsburg preachers at this time, 
and my only chance to get a good colleague was, to 
write back to the old Ohio conference. My mind 
soon fixed upon L. L. Hamline. I had met him, last 
year, at a camp meeting on Brush creek, Muskingum 
county. We spent four or five days together, to our 
mutual benefit. I heard him preach a number of 
sermons, which, I thought, were equal to any I ever 
heard; and he listened to me about as often. We 
had an extraordinary meeting. At this time, I be- 
came fully satisfied that Hamline was a Christian, and 
an able minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I 

believed he would suit well. Accordingly, I wrote on 

o5 



410 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

to David Young, told him our situation, and desired 
him, if he thought brother Hamline would answer our 
purpose, to speak to him on the subject, and, if he 
was willing to come, to send him immediately. In a 
few days after I wrote, brother Hamline met me in 
Wellsburg. 

The facts in this case are very interesting. I will 
narrate a few of them. By this time, my eyes were 
so desperately inflamed, that it was as much as I 
could do to grope my way around this large circuit. 
The people were hungry for the bread of life; con- 
gregations were large, and still increasing. When I 
reached Wellsburg, we held a leaders' meeting, revised 
all the class-papers, and made some new regulations. 
They were all anxious for another preacher. The 
Radicals were making strong and continued efforts, 
especially about Middletown and a place called the 
Irish Ridge. The Campbellites, also, were making 
rapid progress within the bounds of the circuit ; and 
some of our Methodists were like old Uzzah, who 
trembled for the ark of the Lord. In the midst of 
all these difficulties, I went up to the meeting-house 
at ten o'clock, A. M., ascended the pulpit, and raised 
my heart to God. When I arose to preach, I could 
hardly see to read my text. While I was preaching, 
a genteel-looking stranger stepped into the church. 
His person, costume, and polite manner of entering 
the house, showed plainly that he was a gentleman of 
high order. He attracted the attention of the con- 
gregation to such an extent, that they could not keep 



THE STRANGER. 411 

silent till I was done preaching. They soon began to 
whisper, "Who is that? Who is that?" Some said 
it was a Mr. Greatrake, a Baptist preacher, from 
Pittsburg,, who had come down there to neutralize 
Alexander Campbell, they verily believed ; only they 
thought he was too fine a looking man to be Great- 
rake. Others said it was Judge Smith, of that dis- 
trict. They concluded that they would certainly find 
out who he was when preaching was over; when, to 
their utter astonishment, the stranger remained to 
class meeting. My eyes were so bad that I did not 
recognize him at all. We had a noisy time in class. 
When I came round to him, he arose, and spoke like 
one who understood himself, and was filled with the 
Holy Spirit. Every eye was fixed upon him, and 
every ear open, to hear what he had to say. When I 
closed the meeting, I called upon him to pray. I then 
gave notice that there would be preaching at three 
o'clock, by Rev. Mr. Hamline. As soon as I passed 
out of the house, they gathered around me to know 
who he was, and all the particulars about him. I told 
them he was their preacher, and asked them how they 
thought he would do. He preached at three o'clock 
to a large assembly, I believe, to the entire satisfac- 
tion of all who heard him. I think, in the evening, 
he rode into the country, and held a prayer meet- 
ing. The next morning, he drew off a plan for him- 
self. We formed the best regulations we could to 
supply the circuit. He took one part, and I the 
other. He went on, making his own appointments, 



412 FIFTY YEARS IH THE ITIXERAXCY. 

and preaching as he "went. In a few days, he found 
his way to my humble dwelling. We prepared him a 
bed, chair, and table up stairs, "where he spent many 
a happy hour during the conference year, and, I sup- 
pose, composed some as great sermons as ever had 
been preached in that part of the country. Before 
he had finished his second round, there "was a general 
revival on the circuit. All classes of people flocked 
out to hear him — even seceder preachers. 

My eyes continued to grow worse; and, when I 
could not go, he would do double work. Our first 
quarterly meeting wound up with good 'success. We 
reported a fine increase in the membership. The 
Radicals and Campbellites became silent. Brother 
Hamline went on preaching, visiting, and meeting 
class, as though he knew nothing of such people ; at 
the same time, he took uncommon pains to preach 
the pure Gospel, as laid down in the Xew Testament, 
His sermons were theological, experimental, and prac- 
tical; strengthened by sound logic, and ornamented 
with pure rhetoric. 

Awhile after this, the Campbellites had a meeting 
in Wellsburg, and they were talking freely about 
their Church. One of the leading members rose to 
his feet and said, ""We have no Church; Hamline 
has preached us out of existence, and yet he has 
never said any thing about us." A conversation 
took place between Mr. Campbell and Mr. Hamline, 
at a funeral, near Bethany, which I think worth re- 
cording. One of our piou3 friends died in that 



CAMPBELL AND HAMLINE. 413 

vicinity, Mr. H. was called upon to preach a funeral 
sermon, and Mr. Campbell was one of his hearers. 
After the sermon was over, they walked to the 
grave together ; Mr. C. professed to be highly 
pleased and edified by the sermon. He observed to 
Mr. Hamline, " I believe the doctrine you preached 
to-day." The leading topic in the sermon was the 
absolute necessity of regeneration by the influence of 
the Holy Ghost. Mr. Hamline had great freedom 
of speech; while delivering his sermon he enlarged 
on the subject, carried it out by many arguments, 
and appropriate quotations from the Bible. When 
Mr. Campbell made the remark mentioned above, 
Mr. Hamline replied, " You surprise me, sir ; for if 
I understand your doctrine, I was preaching against 
it." "It is very likely you misunderstood me," 
said Mr. Campbell, " for I am very often misunder- 
stood, but I can assure you that I believe the doc- 
trine you preached to-day." 

Our second quarterly meeting came on in very 
cold and stormy weather. I was not able to attend, 
and the presiding elder did not come. Hamline and 
Zarah Costin held the quarterly meeting themselves. 
It was an interesting time, and a goodly number were 
converted. At that time I was in the doctor's hands, 
and under the influence of mercury. They sent me 
an account of the meeting, and my quarterage — I also 
received a long, gloomy letter from brother Hamline. 
A Radical preacher, by the name of Ragon, had 
passed through the circuit, and said some things de- 



414 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

rogatory to the character of brother Hamline, but 
nobody believed them. He moved on his circuit like 
a strong man, rejoicing to run a race. I was sorely 
grieved, because I could not help him, but Drs. 
Smith and Drummond were trying to cure my eyes, 
and I submitted to their directions, for about six 
weeks, though I found they were doing me no good. 
After my sore mouth, from salivation, got well, I 
mounted my horse, took the circuit, and went to 
work in good earnest. It appeared to me that I 
never had such liberty in preaching in all my life as 
I had that spring. We were certainly united in 
heart. Nestor never loved Ulysses any better than 
I loved Hamline ; and Ulysses was never more atten- 
tive to Nestor than Hamline was to me. We prayed, 
thought, read, and preached to the very best of our 
abilities. Sister Hamline visited us in the spring, 
and seemed very happy. The visit was rendered a 
great blessing to her, and to him, and through him 
to the circuit. 

We had a great and good quarterly meeting at 
Tucker's station, near Briceland's cross-roads, be- 
tween Steubenville and Pittsburg. This was among 
the oldest stations west of the Alleghany Mountains. 
Father Tucker was living here at the time that Adam 
Poe had the famous battle with the Wyandott chief, 
"Big-Foot." They were both brave men, and true 
patriots. "Big-Foot" was fighting in the defense 
of his nation, and Poe in the defense of his country. 
This was certainly a dreadful conflict. Both gave 



WILLIAM TUCKER. 415 

full proof of their natural courage and dexterity. 
It had liked to have proved fatal to both. I appre- 
hend the Wyandotts were a noble race of men. It 
is a great pity the world can not learn more of their 
nationality. I believe that the Poes descended from 
an excellent stock ; we had full proof of this in the 
high-minded Daniel Poe, who died a martyr, in my 
opinion, in doing his part to evangelize Texas. A 
Christian soldier, he fell at his post ; his manly form 
lies in a strange land, and his sweet-spirited mission- 
ary wife sleeps by his side. Their lovely children 
were left without father or mother, but were not 
forsaken and left to beg their bread. 

Father Tucker resided here during a long, dan- 
gerous, and bloody war with the Indians ; raised a 
very large family, but one of whom distinguished 
himself; I think his name was William. His father 
might have said of him, as old Priam said of Hector, 
that William was the wisest and best of all his sons. 
He became pious when he was very young, and before 
he was twenty years of age commenced preaching 
the Gospel. Although born and reared on the fron- 
tiers, by close and constant application, he acquired 
a pretty good English education. He bore a very 
active and successful part, in trying to civilize and 
Christianize the people in the country where he 
resided. His zeal increased with his years ; and 
while he was yet a young man, he volunteered as a 
missionary to go to Kentucky; he well knew the 
danger to which he would be exposed — for the Indian 



416 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

war was raging at the time in its most dreadful 
forms — but a desire to save souls elevated him above 
the fear of death. While he was going down the 
Ohio river, the boat in which he descended was at- 
tacked by a large company of Indians, and as he 
was well acquainted with the mode of Indian warfare, 
he took the supervision of all the boats in the com- 
pany, and had them all lashed together with ropes. 
Taking his stand in the middle boat, that the whole 
company might hear the word of command, he ordered 
the women and children to keep close to the bottom 
of the boats, lest the Indians might shoot them, and 
directed the men to arm themselves with axes and 
bars of iron, etc., so that if the Indians attempted to 
come on board they might mash their fingers and 
hands. In this way they crippled many of their 
warriors, and defended themselves for a long time. 
At length, the cunning Indians found out where the 
commander stood, and in a canoe, got round to the 
end of the boat where the steering-oar works, and 
shot him through the hole. He saw that he had 
received his death wound. He advised them all to 
get into one boat, leave their property, and try to 
save their lives. Having given them the best direc- 
tion he could, he kneeled down, made his last prayer, 
and expired. They made their escape from the 
Indians, and landed at Limestone, where they buried 
their beloved minister. I have stood and looked at 
his grave with mingled feeling. I will here say, 
that I received this minute information through an 



FAILURE OF SIGHT. 417 

uncle of mine, who owned one of the boats, and was 
an eye-witness of the whole scene. 

After quarterly meeting closed, my eyes became 
more inflamed — so much so, that I was almost blind, 
and I could do but little on the circuit during the 
remainder of the year; and, as my colleague had to 
do all the work, I gave him the charge altogether. 
I put myself under the care of Dr. Andrews, of Steu- 
benville. He shut me up in a dark room for six 
weeks, starved me down to a mere skeleton, kept 
balls of ice on my eyes five hours out of twenty-four. 
Dr. Andrews having a call to go to New York, put 
me under the care of Dr. Spears, of Pittsburg. 

As conference met in Pittsburg this year — 1831 — I 
did not leave Steubenville till it was time to start for 
conference. Brother Hamline was left by himself on 
the circuit. He held a camp meeting on Castleman's 
run, with but little ministerial help. There had been 
many camp meetings on the same ground before, but 
this was thought to be the best that they had ever 
enjoyed in the place. He finished his work on this 
delightful field of labor, left the circuit in good order, 
passed by my house on his way home, and left my 
quarterage and some of his own money. I am in- 
clined to believe, that this was the happiest year in 
the whole life of Rev. L. L. Hamline. He left many 
spiritual children behind him; and, though twenty- 
five years have passed away since he left that coun- 
try, still very many pious persons retain a grateful 
recollection of the man, his eminent abilities, ardent 



418 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

zeal, and of his successful labors as a minister of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

According to arrangement, I left Steubenville for 
Pittsburg, called on Dr. Spears, and presented him 
a letter from Dr. Andrews. He said that Dr. An- 
drews was right with regard to the disease, and that 
he had pursued a correct course in his treatment; 
but, to my great surprise, he changed the course en- 
tirely. Instead of cold applications, he had recourse 
to lunar caustic; instead of confining me to a dark 
room, he recommended me to walk the streets freely; 
instead of starving me, he bade me live generously. 

This prescription satisfied me that one of the 
learned doctors did not understand the case ; and, I 
think now, that they were both in the dark, for neither 
of them did me any good. 

I attended conference, where I met with many of 
my old friends. Bishop Hedding was our president. 
Quite a number of my former associates were pres- 
ent, among whom was Rev. H. B. Bascom, who ap- 
peared in an excellent spirit. Mr. Bascom had taken 
a long and active part in what was called the Radical 
controversy; and, I suppose, he expected that charges 
would be preferred against him at this conference. 
At an early period of the session, he sought an inter- 
view with Bishop Hedding. He informed him that 
he was forever done with the controversy ; and, if the 
Church would overlook what had passed, he would 
cheerfully submit to our Discipline; but if the con- 
ference was disposed to push the matter strenuously, 



TRANSFER AND SUPERANNUATION. 419 

he would not vouch for the consequences. The 
Bishop called a council of old men, to deliberate on 
the subject. After a long discussion and interchange 
of thought, they agreed to accept Bascom's proposi- 
tion. At this time, we elected our delegates to the 
General conference, which was to sit, the next May, 
in Philadelphia. 

I was reappointed to the Ohio circuit; but, before I 
left Pittsburg, I had an interview with Bishop Hed- 
ding. I informed him that I did not believe I was 
able to do effective work, and, in all probability, never 
would be again; and, as I had worn myself out in 
the Ohio conference, I was not willing to be a burden 
to the Pittsburg conference. He gave me to under- 
stand that he would transfer me back to the Ohio 
conference. The presiding elder and the preacher in 
charge knew nothing of the arrangement between me 
and the Bishop. There were two young men ap- 
pointed to the circuit with me. I found that, when I 
reached home, there was some grumbling about hav- 
ing so many men on the circuit. I found, then, that 
my popularity depended on my strength and activity 
to do the work of a Methodist preacher. Many who 
received me, last year, as the Lord's messenger, now 
gave a cold shoulder. I now received news from the 
Ohio conference, that I was transferred and superan- 
nuated. 

After the conference was over, I got on a steam- 
boat and went home. I now expected to be a blind 
man the remainder of my days, and I tried to recon- 



420 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

cile my mind to my circumstances. This was the 
darkest spot in my entire history; but hope, the last 
thing that forsakes the human heart, revived again in 
mine, and I concluded to make one more effort to 
recover my sight. Employing a man to lead my 
horse, I rode about ten miles, to see another doctor; 
but, to my mortification, I found him under the in- 
fluence of ardent spirits. I waited patiently for sev- 
eral days, when he became duly sober. We then sat 
down in a room alone, and I requested him to make a 
thorough examination of my eyes. He looked at my 
eye-balls a long time, and asked many questions. As 
he had been reared a Quaker, he talked the Quaker 
language. He began, by saying, " Jacob, thy physi- 
cians have mistaken thy disease, from first to last, 
and their practice has been wrong. They have been 
depleting when they ought to have been repleting. 
Thou art an old man, and thou hast studied very 
hard, and used thine eyes a great deal; and thou hast 
often been very low spirited. All these things have 
affected thy nervous system ; and the pair of nerves 
that support the muscles, immediately around the 
eye-balls, have given way, and can no longer dis- 
charge their functions. The fluid that ought to be 
carried off lodges there, and causes the inflammation. 
Thy physicians have been blistering, cupping, saliva- 
ting, and starving thee, and all have had a tendency 
to make the disease worse." He seemed to express 
great doubt whether he could do any thing to relieve 
me; but, he said, at all events, he would try. He 



IMPROVED HEALTH. 421 

prepared a wash for my eyes, gave me some medicines 
to take inwardly, and a white powder, to be dissolved 
in dew, or rain water. He told me to go home and 
live generously, drink no slops, but good tea and cof- 
fee, sweetened with loaf-sugar; eat good, well-cured 
ham and beef-steak, well-cooked, but be upon my 
guard not to eat too much at one time, but often; 
take as much exercise as I could well endure ; go out 
and work with my boys on the farm ; and come back 
and see him in about ten days. Before the ten days 
were out, I could see across a ten-acre field pretty 
clearly. I followed his prescription very closely for 
about two months. My eyes grew decidedly better, 
and I went to work regularly on my farm, week after 
week, through a long and tedious winter. When the 

7 O O 

spring came on, I put in a large crop, took an active 
part in attending it; and, I think, during the year, 
preached more than any one I was acquainted with 
in that part of the conference. By this time, I had 
entirely recovered my health, although my sight was 
very much impaired. I was strong and active. Dur- 
ing the summer, I cleared about five hundred dollars. 



422 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY, 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

SOMERSET AND ATHENS CIRCUITS — 1833-4. 

I attended the Ohio conference, which met in 
Dayton. I requested the conference to change my 
relation, and asked the Bishop to send me to Somerset 
circuit, contrary, I suppose, to the advice of brother 
Swormstedt. I knew that the circuit was in a critical 
condition ; but, still, I wanted to go there. I arrived 
at my appointment in good time, and met my col- 
league, Rev. Joseph Carper, in Somerset, who treated 
me with great kindness, gave me the plan of the cir- 
cuit, and told me what to do. He looked as large as 
life. I had, for many years, in that part of the coun- 
try, been elder Young; now, I was junior preacher; 
Swormstedt my presiding elder, and Carper my 
senior — boys that I had nourished and brought up. 
for many years. They both treated me with great 
urbanity of manners, and appeared as willing to obey 
me as they were when I had charge of the district. 
Carper attracted attention wherever he went to 
preach, and the Lord gave him uncommon liberty 
in all his efforts. The circuit appeared to wake up, 
like a man who had been in a deep sleep. We had a 
strong officiary, which is always a great advantage. 

Our first Quarterly meeting was held in Somerset. 



THE SPIRIT OF REVIVAL. 423 

As the congregations were unusually large, we occu- 
pied both the Church and the court-house. At the 
meeting, Carper preached several sermons, which I 
remember to this day. Our elder was in fine spirits. 
There was a goodly number professed to be converted. 
On my first round after this, I found the friends wide 
awake, and strong indications of a glorious revival. 
We went on preaching, holding prayer meetings, 
leading classes, turning out bad members, and taking 
in good ones — as we supposed. We soon began to 
appoint protracted meetings. Carper appointed one 
in Thornville. Some of the officiary opposed it, 
said they were not ready yet. But Carper was not 
to be turned aside for trifles. He went on with his 
meeting. At our first coming together, it seemed 
the windows of heaven were opened. The meeting 
lasted four or five days, and resulted in the accession 
of about fifty to the Church, forty-five having pro- 
fessed to experience religion. The revival spirit 
went on like fire in dry stubble. 

In a few weeks after this, we held another, at 
a place called Clay Lick. Here the Lord made known 
his power to save sinners. Now, while the heavens 
were propitious, we thought it a good time to in- 
troduce the temperance reform. The men of the 
world, in that part of the country, had taken a firm 
stand against the cause of temperance. They were 
a good deal like the ancient Ephesians, who had 
their wealth by making silver shrines of the goddess 
Diana. The Baptist Church and United Brethren 



424 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

joined with these men of the world, against the 
cause of temperance ; also some of the Methodists, 
who made, sold, and drank whisky. We knew, when 
we brought up the subject, we were going to have a 
hard battle, but we resolved to do our duty, and 
leave the event with divine Providence. The notice 
of the meeting being published, the house was 
crowded to overflowing. We framed our constitu- 
tion, and then organized a temperance society, under 
the old pledge. Carper and myself each delivered 
a temperance lecture, and then opened the door to 
receive members. We took each of us a paper, and 
started through the congregation. Every one I spoke 
to gave me his name. There was one man stand- 
ing by, who loved the " cratur," as they called it. 
Although a member of the Church, he looked as 
if he had a mind to knock me down. At length I 
came to one of the good old mothers of Israel. Her 
countenance was dark, and full of vengeance ; when 
I asked her for her name, she said, " No, sir ! 
you are taking advantage of the people." Another 
Methodist lady, standing close by, had a little more 
courage, laid hold of my skirts, and cried out, 
" Brother Young, stop ; you are taking advantage 
of the people. You just ask their names, and set 
them down. They don't tell you they want to join 
your society." This produced great commotion; 
some cried one thing, some another. There was con- 
fusion in doors and out. I pursued my own course, 
till I procured about one hundred names. 



THE DISTILLER'S CONVERSION. 425 

Carper was operating in the other part of the 
house, with very good success. We fell in with a 
very respectable -looking old gentleman who was 
actively engaged in whisky-making. He being a man 
of sense, and standing, Carper sat down to reason 
with him, hearing questions and answering them, for 
nearly two hours. By this time a number had left, 
the remainder had taken their seats, and were quite 
still. At this moment, the old whisky-maker rose 
up, cried out at the top of his voice, " Uriah Hull, 
don't you want a copper tea-kettle ?" Uriah an- 
swered, " Yes I" " Well," said the old gentleman, 
" I am going to cut up my still, and sell the copper 
to my neighbors to make tea-kettles, and I am going 
to join the temperance society !" He soon found 
applicants enough to take all the copper he had to 
spare. He joined the society, went home, and, T 
suppose, never made any more whisky. 

The next morning, we renewed our religious exer- 
cises, which continued for several days ; and I think 
there were more than a hundred conversions — not 
all at that time, for the revival continued for many 
weeks. 

A short time after our second quarterly meeting 

commenced in Rushville. The elder — Rev. L. Sworm- 

stedt — came on in fine health, and appeared to be 

filled with the spirit of his mission. The meeting 

opened under the most propitious circumstances. 

The Spirit from on high was poured upon us — many 

sinners were crying aloud for mercy. The shouts 

36 



426 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

of victory were heard in our congregations night and 
day. Swormstedt and Carper made a very strong 
team, and were well harnessed for the battle. They 
worked shoulder to shoulder through the whole 
course of the meeting, and the great Captain of the 
Lord's hosts honored their labors with more than 
one hundred conversions. Our next protracted meet- 
ing was in the town of Somerset. This was equal, 
if not superior, to any protracted meeting held on 
the circuit during the year. There were not as many 
conversions as at some other meetings, but they 
were of a higher class, and capable of doing more 
good, such as John Beckworth, John Ritchie, Samuel 
Burket, the Whitmores, and many others, who have 
stood like pillars in the temple of God, from that day 
to the present. About this time the cholera broke 
out among us. A gentleman, who lived near the 
town of Salem, having been on a journey for several 
weeks, returned home very sick, and sent for Dr. 
M'Clure, of Somerset, but did not think it was the 
cholera, as that fatal disease had never been in that 
part of the country. The Doctor staid with him till 
he ascertained that he had the cholera, and was in a 
dying state. He expired in a few hours after the 
Doctor left him. The Doctor took the cholera on 
the road, and died before he got home, although he 
had only six miles to ride. A neighbor was called 
in to shave the dead man ; he also took the disease, 
and died in a few hours. A clergyman was called 
upon to preach a funeral sermon. He discharged his 



CHOLERA ALARM. 427 

duty, and died before he reached home. The patient, 
his doctor, his barber, his clergyman, were all dead 
before the sun went down the next day. 

This spread the alarm throughout the country. 
During this panic, we appointed a protracted meeting 
in Rehoboth. A strong young man came into the 
neighborhood, and died with the cholera the very 
day our meeting began. At the close of the eleven 
o'clock services, Carper was taken very sick ; he 
went up to town and took his bed; and, as the day 
was very warm, he requested them to set his bed 
in the middle of the room, that he might breathe 
the fresh air ; two persons sat by him on each side, 
keeping off the flies and fanning him. The news 
soon spread that Carper had the cholera; the peo- 
ple would come to the door and look in, and walk 
off as though they had seen an enemy. Word went 
up to Somerset, that Carper had the cholera, and 
was dying. The next morning it was reported in 
class meeting as a fact. Mrs. Carper being present, 
was much alarmed ; she mounted a horse, rode as 
fast as possible to Rehoboth, and when she came in 
sight of the house where her husband had been sick, 
-and saw the table and chairs standing out before the 
door, she was near fainting, and had like to have 
fallen from her horse. When she went into the 
house, she found her husband had gone to the 
preachers' stand in the woods, and was preaching 
at the top of his voice, making the grove to ring 
again. Her joyful surprise may be readily imagined. 



428 FIFTY TEARS IX THE ITIXERAXCT. 

This was our last protracted meeting for the present 
year. 

TTe held our fourth quarterly meeting in Somer- 
set, and endeavored to leave the circuit in good 
order. By this time my health and eye-sight vrere 
greatly improved. Our conference was to meet this 
year in Cincinnati. The cholera was raging most 
frightfully. Brother Carper declined attending the 
conference, and the friends tried to prevail on me 
not to go, but I knew it was necessary that some- 
body should go — and I went, trusting in God. 
Falling in with Bishop Roberts on the way, I heard 
him preach two excellent sermons ; we endeavored to 
edify each other by talking about the prosperity of 
the Church throughout the United States, while God 
gave us hearts to rejoice with them that did rejoice, 
and gave us eyes to weep with those that wept. 
We had great cause of weeping and lamentation — 
about one hundred thousand of our fellow- citizens 
had fallen victims to the cholera this year. 

Before we reached the city the cholera had sub- 
sided, and the health of the inhabitants was pretty 
good. Bishop Roberts was our president. "We had 
a pleasant conference. The members told me that 
my youth was renewed like that of the eagle's. I 
boarded with my beloved friend Thomas A. Morris, 
and his beloved Abigail. She and other pious sisters 
of that charge, loaded me with presents — in money 
and clothing — so much so that I could hardly crowd 
them into my port-bags. 



ATHENS CIRCUIT — HAMLINE. 429 

I was appointed to Athens circuit this year. It 
was not the place of my choice, for I desired to go 
back to Somerset, and the people expected me to re- 
turn. Another reason why I did not wish to go to 
Athens — I had learned that the town was in a perfect 
turmoil; two of the most distinguished members of 
the place having had a dreadful out-fall. I had at- 
tended a camp meeting about there the preceding 
summer, with a view to settle the difficulty, but it 
grew worse in my hands, and I was glad to go away. 
But, as the Bishop requested me to go, I took up my 
cross in the name of the Lord. I was encouraged, 
for he had given me brother Hamline for my col- 
league. By the time I moved my family, Hamline 
was on the spot, ready to go to work. He made out 
two plans of the circuit, one for himself and the other 
for me. Our parsonage was very small and uncomfort- 
able. Brother Hamline had to board with me all the 
time he was in town. My wife procured an excellent 
girl to do the work, and they waited upon him as 
though he had been a prince. He exercised a great 
deal of patience, and every thing went on delightfully. 
My two sons, who were going to college, had time to 
prepare the wood and coal, which made our little 
home quite comfortable, considering all the circum- 
stances. We found the circuit in great confusion, by 
reason of the contention referred to ; and what ren- 
dered the matter worse, the leading members all 
around the circuit, took sides with the parties, and 
were pretty equally divided. The preacher who pre- 



430 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ceded us, had done his best to restore peace and har- 
mony to the circuit, but he left things in a far worse 
condition than he found them. We tried, between 
ourselves, to understand this case — its origin — ramifi- 
cations, and bearings. Here my colleague used his 
legal knowledge to great advantage. Our first inten- 
tion was to reconcile the contending parties — to pre- 
vent, if possible, any expulsion from the Church. One 
of those brethren with whom the difficulty originated, 
appeared quite placid and yielding — but the other was 
wrathy. His wife had been expelled the year before, 
as he thought wrongfully, and he would not be recon- 
ciled unless she could be restored ; and this could not 
be done — for she had appealed to the quarterly con- 
ference, and the decision was confirmed. Mr. Hamline 
labored for several weeks to make peace; but, finally, 
regarding it a hopeless case, threw it aside, and would 
have no more to do with it; leaving me to manage it 
the best way I could. 

He went on preaching and the Lord owned his 
labors. Many of the people thought that never man 
spake like this man. It appeared to me that he had 
laid the foundation for one of the most extensive 
revivals I had been acquainted with; and, if his 
health had not failed, I believe he would have done 
more for that circuit, than ever had been done in any 
preceding year. He was taken sick at our second 
quarterly meeting, with the scarlet fever, and was 
confined to his bed, about eight miles below Athens, 
on the Hocking river. The attack was violent, and 



SICKNE SS OF HAMLINE. 431 

his life was despaired of for several days. 1 was on 
the other side of the circuit, and having heard that 
he was dying, I went home immediately with the in- 
tention of bringing him to my house. As the roads 
were almost impassable, I procured a strong carriage, 
two very good horses, and three or four strong young 
men, and set out on my enterprise. We found him 
in very unpleasant circumstances — several of the 
family sick, with the same fever, were lying in the 
same room with him, and the house was all in con- 
fusion. When brother Hamline saw me he wept. I 
asked him if he could go to Athens. He answered, 
" Oh, yes, yes !" He arose up in his bed — called the 
family — paid them for the trouble he had made them, 
and told me I would have to take him up and lay him 
into the carriage ; for, he said he was as helpless as 
an infant. I had two feather-beds in the carriage — 
pillows — and plenty of bedding to keep him warm. 
The young men took him up, and carried him to the 
door. When he saw the carriage with the prepara- 
tions made to receive him, he leaped into it, with 
very little assistance. We drove on about four miles. 
I told him if he was tired we would rest awhile. 
He replied, in quite a strong voice, "Drive on — 
drive on." 

We took him to the parsonage safely, and called in 
two doctors, who managed his case well; so that, in 
about a week, he could walk the room ; and, in two or 
three weeks, was able to ride on horseback to his 
own home, in Zanesville — he returned to the circuit 



432 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

no more that conference year. Brother Swormstedt 
gave us an excellent young man, by the name of 
Cyrus Brooks, who was one of the best preachers I 
had known, of his age — a first-rate pastor, and a 
faithful friend. 

We had revivals nearly all round the circuit, with 
the exception of the town of Athens. We closed our 
labors much to our own satisfaction, and the comfort 
and edification of our people. They shed many tears 
when we were leaving them. 

We at'tended conference, in 1834, in Circleville ; at 
which place I met with a great many crosses, and 
felt myself badly treated. The Ohio University, in 
Athens, was shaking like a reed in the wind; and 
I saw very clearly, that, by a little religious policy, we 
could put that University under the government of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. And, I was satis- 
fied then, and am now, that the Methodist Episcopal 
Church could not move along, and do her whole duty, 
to advantage, without a university under her own 
control. The people, generally, in that region, 
seemed anxious for us to have charge of it. We 
could easily perceive that Athens College would an- 
swer our purpose, just as well as if it belonged to us, 
and save the enormous expense of putting up one of 
our own. My first intention was to engage a pro- 
fessor of high standing in the faculty. I submitted a 
proposition, requesting Bishop Soule, who presided, 
to appoint Joseph M. Trimble, professor of mathe- 
matics in that institution. It met with strong oppo- 



BISHOP SOULE. 433 

sition from the oldest and strongest men on the con- 
ference-floor. Now came on the tug of war. Collins, 
Finley, and Christie, led off in the debate — which 
lasted the best part of the day. I had them to con- 
tend with single-handed. It was plain to be seen, at 
the close of the argument, that we had gained our 
point. The previous question being called for, the 
main question had now to be put. Before the Bishop 
put the main question, he took the liberty to say it 
made no difference which way we voted, for he would 
not make the appointment. I told him, that he alone 
had the power to make the appointment, and if he 
would not do it, it was useless to say any thing more 
on the subject. And so we let it drop. 

I left the conference-room and took a walk in the 
grove, in order to let off the steam — for it had become 
pretty high by this time. As I walked slowly along, 
I continued thinking — Pope — Pope ! I saw, that day, 
that Methodist bishops had full power enough, and, it 
might be, a little too much. It seemed nearly akin to 
the veto power placed in the hands of the President 
of these United States. 

At this conference a number of the preachers 
wished me to be placed on the district. They peti- 
tioned the Bishop to that effect, but he would not 
comply with their wishes. It would have been grati- 
fying to me to have had that appointment, at that 
time, for my sons were then going to college in 
Athens — and by the time our four years would have 

expired, they could both have graduated. I was, 

37 



434 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

however, reappointed to Athens circiut, where I had 
another hard year's labor; and with all my toil and 
long-suffering, had to expel a number who were con- 
cerned in the unhappy quarrel alluded to last year. 
I received more abuse than ever before. 

After all, we had a prosperous year. Several 
things took place very interesting to me. I became 
acquainted with a fine English lady by the name of 
Louisa Court- All. Nature had dealt bountifully with 
her ; and her physical, mental, and moral powers 
were finely developed by education. She was one of 
the most pious ladies I ever knew ; but notwithstand- 
ing her good sense she was ultra in almost every 
thing she undertook, which seriously injured her use- 
fulness and happiness. 

Another lady by the name of Sarah Norris, was very 
pious, a good English scholar, and a talented and use- 
ful member of our Church. Since those days she has 
had a rough and thorny way to travel. I hope both 
these ladies will reach the kingdom of heaven. How 
true is that saying of our Savior, " In the world, ye 
shall have tribulation; but in me ye shall have peace." 
This was a memorable year. I was associated with a 
great many excellent men who were self-taught, and 
after my own heart — such as Hon. Calvary Morris, 
John Minton, Acil Cooley, Simeon Cooley, Jacob 
Humphrey, Daniel Stewart, sen., William Harper, 
Frederick Abbot, John White, Stephen Pilcher, E. 
H. Pilcher, and Justin Reynolds. All these men 
sustained me in the administration of the Discipline — 



THE OHIO COMPANY. 435 

and were my wise counselors, while their pious exam- 
ple, wholesome instruction, and timely admonitions 
were rendered a great blessing to me. Our Christian 
fellowship commenced at an early period of our lives, 
has been matured on earth, and I trust will be enjoyed 
in heaven. Cyrus Brooks was again my colleague, 
and a better one I never had. He did his full share 
of all the work, and in the pulpit a double share; 
for he could preach as much in one sermon as I could 
in two. 

Athens has always been a very interesting place to 
me, and I will here take the liberty to say a few 
things in relation to the University located there. 

First, then, those noble and high-minded men, 
denominated the Ohio Company, donated two entire 
townships of land to support a university in what is 
now called Athens, Athens county. Many of them 
were Revolutionary officers — the love of country was 
enthroned in their hearts. They were philosophers 
in the proper sense of the word, for they were lovers 
of wisdom. As a proof of this, they set apart one 
section in every township, for the use of common 
schools, and another section in every township, to 
support ministers of the Gospel. These were far- 
seeing and clear-sighted men — they knew that Ohio 
would one day be a great country. The Tuppens, 
Putnams, Gilmans, and Buckinghams, have often 
reminded me of two intelligent travelers, who crossed 
the Alleghany Mountains, perhaps about the time 
that I was born. When they came to the top of 



436 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Laurel Hill, they looked down upon the broad-spread 
valley of the Monongahela, stopped their horses ; and 
so vivid were their imaginations, that they almost 
thought that they could hear the footsteps of future 
generations, just in their rear, coming on to possess 
these goodly lands. Many superficial observers have 
thought, and said, that the Ohio Company made 
a very poor selection ; but scientific men do not view 
things like ignorant men. The streams of water, 
timber, shrubbery, high hills and rivers, all gave 
strong indications, to thoughtful men, that there was 
a vast amount of mineral wealth deposited under this 
rough surface, for the benefit of future ages — and we 
have lived to see their anticipations more than real- 
ized. Think of the salt, coal, and iron, taken from 
these hills and valleys in every part of the purchase 
of the Ohio Company. This country is now, and will 
be a very rich one, and wealthy countries always will 
be densely populated, and thickly-settled countries 
always will have a great many children that ought to 
be educated. Southern Ohio will more than compete 
with Scioto, and the Miami valleys. The gift of 
these college lands, was a noble deed — but I am sorry 
that they have not been better managed. 

When I first visited Athens — what is now called 
the College Green, was then covered with lofty trees, 
and the surrounding country almost in a state of 
nature. There were a few log-cabins, inhabited by 
hunters, but, even in that early day, I met with a few 
men of enterprise and industry, who were doing well 



ATHENS, AND THE COLLEGE LANDS. 437 

for themselves, the country, and their families. I 
was at that time charmed with the scenery that sur- 
rounded the place, and thought it might one day vie 
with ancient Athens. I left the place, was absent 
twelve years, and when I was returning, I expected to 
see the place greatly improved — at least a flourish- 
ing village, and a well-arranged academy under the 
supervision of a good principal, and well-selected 
teachers ; but in this I was somewhat disappointed. 
They had a school there that they called a college — 
kept in a kind of antiquated building. The walls and 
hall looked more like a prison than a college. The 
Hon. Thomas Ewing was then going to school there. 
He said to me, " It is a place where a young man can 
study successfully — but it is a poor place to gain 
instruction." But I suppose the men who had charge 
of the school were doing the best they could, and I 
must tread lightly on the ashes of the dead. 

The first serious blunder, made by the trustees of 
the institution, was giving leases on the college lands. 
It will be recollected that, at that time, the price of 
lands was very low, and they gave leases ninety-nine 
years, renewable forever — not considering, that when 
the country became settled, the land would increase in 
value. Now this contract made between the trustees 
and the lessees, will always prevent a revaluation of 
the college lands — for the Ohio Legislature has no 
power to disannul private contracts. All I have now 
to say is, that they might nearly as well have given 
their lands away ; for the men who now occupy them 



438 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

pay but little more rent than the taxes on other 
lands. Had these lands been subject to revaluation, 
there would have been a large revenue, rising annu- 
ally, enough to support a good faculty and make all 
the necessary repairs on the buildings. As it is, the 
institution is always embarrassed. 

The next mistake the trustees made, was to put 
the institution under sectarian government; but pub- 
lic opinion would not sustain them in this measure. 
They had a long and unsuccessful war with the pub- 
lic mind, but had to yield at last. During all this 
time they were doing some good. They then at- 
tempted to place it under the patronage of the three 
leading denominations, the Presbyterians, Methodists, 
and Baptists, but they were very unfortunate in select- 
ing professors. The institution moved on heavily — 
like Pharaoh's chariot. At length, it became so 
deeply involved in debt, they were obliged to suspend 
operations. It is now resuscitated, and, to all ap- 
pearance, doing well. 



APPOINTMENT — AUGUSTUS EDDY. 439 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

COLUMBUS DISTRICT — 1835-1839. 

The annual conference met this year — 1835 — 
in Springfield, Ohio ; Bishop Andrew, president — 
Bishop Soule assisted him; they both paid me un- 
usual attention. I carried up a good report from 
Athens circuit. This was an interesting conference. 
We elected our delegates to the next General confer- 
ence. There was more electioneering than I had 
ever seen before. I was elected, for the fifth time. 
It is truly gratifying to a man to know that he has 
the affections and confidence of the men with whom 
he has long been associated. 

I was appointed to the Columbus district. Augus- 
tus Eddy was my predecessor — an excellent man, a 
pious Christian, a good preacher, and one who stands 
deservedly high as a presiding elder. He knew his 
duty well, and was prompt to do it. My appoint- 
ment proved to be an eventful period in my history. I 
found the district large and pleasant, and a good state 
of feeling at almost every appointment. They had 
had revivals in most of the circuits for several years, 
and the good work was still in progress ; the congre- 
gations were large, class and prayer meetings well 
attended, but very little attention had been paid to 



440 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Sabbath schools, or to the missionary cause, and as 
far as I could discern, no attention to the good 
cause of education by our own Church. I went into 
my new field of labor in good health, with a fine 
flow of spirits. My first round of quarterly meetings 
was pleasant, but there were no great revivals. 
The district was well supplied with good preachers. 
The Rev. E. W. Sehon was on Columbus station last 
year, and was returned again this year. He had 
considerable trouble, and was severely censured by 
some. It became my duty to examine his adminis- 
tration. This was done according to the best of 
my abilities. I never could see where he had done 
any thing contrary to the Bible, or the Methodist 
Discipline. 

Brother Sehon was truly an eloquent man, pos- 
sessed of an ardent mind and a benevolent heart, 
and destined by divine Providence to shine as a star 
of no ordinary magnitude; but in my opinion, he 
missed his way when he joined the Southern Church. 
He labored with zeal and success through the win- 
ter, but in the spring his health failed, and we had 
to put brother Hamline in his place. 

Brother Goff was on Worthington circuit, who 
labored with his usual zeal and success. Although 
he had a heavy cross to bear in consequence of the 
improper conduct of his colleague, I will say of 
Abner Goff as I once heard Bishop Asbury say of 
James Quinn, " Few men among us have worn 
better than he." James B. Austin and William 



SUNDRY GOOD MEN. 441 

Morrow "were on Delaware circuit. They were a 
strong team, and worked well together. Austin kept 
the circuit in good order, and Morrow was a great 
revivalist. Harvey Camp and John W. White were 
on Marion circuit. They were good men ; they tried 
to honor God, and God honored them by blessing 
their labors. White is rather an extraordinary man — 
his sweet eloquence gives him the advantage of most 
other preachers. His zeal, industry, and persever- 
ance, have made him an ornament to the Christian 
ministry. 

Brother Richard Doughty was not able to stand 
the labors on Richwood circuit. I removed him to 
Franklinton, to labor with John C. Havens, and put 
Samuel Batey in his place. We had a prosperous 
year on London circuit, under the labors of Philip 
Nation and William Westlake. Brother Nation was 
not what was called a great preacher, but a very 
useful one, and as good a natural singer as I ever 
knew ; he has been successful on all the circuits he 
ever traveled — his slender constitution soon com- 
pleted his labors, and he passed to his rest. Samuel 
Hamilton and E. Webster were on Pickaway circuit. 
They had a prosperous year, and closed their labors 
with a good camp meeting near Kingston. L. L. 
Hamline was there ; on Monday it rained, and the 
congregation was compelled to resort to the meeting- 
house. Hamline and Hamilton went into the church; 
Hamline preached, and after the sermon they com- 
menced a prayer meeting, which continued till near 



442 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

sunrise, the next morning, without intermission. "We 
can not give any thing like a correct idea of the 
number converted during that glorious night. Gran- 
ville circuit : Joseph Carper and Uriah Heath ; they 
had a successful year. This year, brother Heath com- 
menced his itinerant career ; he soon gave clear in- 
dications that he was no ordinary man. He has now 
spent eighteen years in the ministry of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church ; during all this time, his zeal and 
efficiency, theological knowledge, industry, and suc- 
cess, have been gradually increasing. He has taken 
a very active part in the cause of Sunday schools, 
domestic and foreign missions, common schools, 
seminaries, and colleges, and has been the means of 
erecting many excellent churches. 

The missionary spirit was revived during my first 
round on the district. We preached missionary ser- 
mons, and delivered lectures in almost every charge. 
The people came up to the help of the Lord with 
almost one accord. Also, the Sunday schools were 
resuscitated all round the district. For several 
years — previous to my coming on to this district — 
I had been looking out for a suitable place to estab- 
lish a Methodist female seminary. The people were 
making strong and continued efforts to get up and 
keep up high schools and colleges for the education 
of their sons, but no effort at all for the education 
of their daughters, and when I would converse with 
them upon the subject they gave me no satisfaction ; 
they appeared to think the minds of their daughters 



WORTHINGTON FEMALE SEMINARY. 443 

•were not worth cultivating — that a liberal education 
spoiled a female ; and some of the old Methodist 
ladies told me that they never knew an educated 
woman that was a good house-keeper. If women 
can read the Bible and write their names, that is 
education enough for them. 

At this time, I knew of no female school, or female 
seminary, patronized by the Methodists in particular, 
in the great western valley. I spent much of my 
time in reading, thinking, and conversing with men 
of understanding on this subject. When I came to 
the town of Worthington, divine Providence opened 
my way. There I found a community, whose views 
were congenial with my own on the subject of female 
education. I suggested my views to the citizens in 
a public meeting, and every gentleman of any stand- 
ing concurred with me. Here I fell in with a lady 
from York state — just such a one as I had been 
looking for a number of years. She was pious, 
intellectual, and learned — so we resolved to make 
the experiment. This gave rise to the Worthington 
Female Seminary. As the history of this institution 
has often been laid before the public, I will not 
spread it on the pages of this autobiography. It 
cost me great labor of body and mind, and a con- 
siderable sum of money, to come out of the coffers 
of a poor man. Yet I am thankful that the thought 
ever entered my mind to establish a female seminary 
in the town of Worthington. It has been nourishing 
for many years. Very many of our first young ladies 



444 FIFTY TEAKS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

have been educated there. It has been doing good 
in various ways. 

The Oakland Seminary, the Female College in Cin- 
cinnati, the Female College in Delaware, and even 
the Ohio Wesleyan University, owe their origin to 
the Worthington Female Seminary. Great things 
often result from small beginnings. The happy in- 
fluence that this institution has exerted throughout 
the west, has been truly great. I claim but a small 
pittance of this honor for myself. Miss Sarepta 
Marsh, whose real worth is but little known in the 
world, Uriah Heath, and William Bishop, were the 
active and successful agents in completing this useful 
institution. We are bound to give honor to whom 
honor is due. They deserve to be remembered with 
gratitude by all who have been benefited by the 
Worthington Female Seminary. 

General conference met this year, 1836, in Cin- 
cinnati. Bishops Roberts, Hedding, Soule, and An- 
drew were all present. Bishop Roberts' health was 
declining very fast. He tendered his resignation to 
the conference, but they were not willing to release 
him, but required no more labor of him than he could 
perform with ease and comfort to himself. Bishops 
Soule and Hedding were both in feeble health. It 
was thought best to strengthen the Episcopacy, and, 
accordingly, they elected two more bishops — Beverly 
Waugh and Thomas A. Morris. On hearing the 
journals read, we found the work of God was in a 
state of prosperity throughout the bounds of the 



NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN ULTRAISM. 445 

Methodist Episcopal Church. The Radicals had gone 
to themselves, formed a society, and were doing their 
own work in their own way, and we were at peace 
among ourselves. 

About this time, the abolitionists were agitating the 
slave question. The spirit of opposition to slavery 
ran very high in the eastern and northern confer- 
ences, and had, to some extent, disturbed the peace 
and quietness of the Church in those parts. This 
waked up a spirit of opposition in the southern and 
south-western conferences, Although I never ap- 
proved of the course pursued by the abolitionists, 
yet I think the southern and south-western confer- 
ences were the more ultra of the two parties. We 
had an interesting time, and I was greatly benefited 
by attending this conference. Our Episcopacy was 
composed of pious, talented, and sober men. The 
majority of the members of conference were discreet, 
pious, and dignified men. 

Our annual conference met in Chillicothe. In 
making my report to conference, I informed them of 
our intention to establish a female seminary, under 
the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
the town of Worthington, and also our prospect of 
success. The conference very kindly entertained the 
proposition. 

I was returned again to the same district. The 
Bishop gave us a good supply — mostly the same 
active, zealous men we had last year. 

I commenced my second year's labor on Columbus 



446 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

district under favorable circumstances. "We had a 
fine supply of good preachers. Isaac C. Hunter, on 
Pickaway circuit, was a man of mind and great de- 
cision of character. We had revivals, more or less, on 
- every ^part of that circuit, this year, with the excep- 
tion of the city of Columbus. The Rev. Nathan 
Emory, of precious memory, who led a long and 
useful itinerant life, traveled the Delaware circuit 
this year. Here his labors, as a traveling preacher, 
ended. He took a superannuated relation at the 
next conference, and retired. He lingered for sev- 
eral years, and closed his life in the triumphs of faith. 
The Rev. William Nast was appointed to the Ger- 
man mission on this district. He met with consider- 
able opposition from the Lutherans, but labored with 
great zeal and industry. Though he did not succeed 
according to his own expectations, yet he laid the 
foundations for much good in that part of the coun- 
try. His labors were like bread cast upon the waters, 
which appears after many days. 

I still had my eye fixed on the female seminary. 
The preachers approved of the design, but none 
seemed ready to take an active part, except Uriah 
Heath, Wm. Herr, Jas. Gilruth, Jos. Waterman, and 
the never-to-be-forgotten Samuel Lewis. As soon as 
the subject had been sufficiently discussed, we called 
a public meeting, which met at Miss Marsh's school- 
room. This meeting was exceedingly large, and be- 
fore it we laid our whole plan. Every one appeared 
to approve of the enterprise, and manifested the 



EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS. 447 

same by words, actions, and looks. We appointed 
agents to solicit subscriptions to erect suitable build- 
ings, and they were very successful in raising money. 
Some time during the summer, we called a meeting of 
the donors, in the town of Worthington. Joseph 
Waterman gave us a lengthy address on the import- 
ance of general education. His address was followed 
by a number of short, pointed speeches. The meet- 
ing resulted in the happiest consequences. The 
donors appointed a committee to select a suitable 
site for the buildings. There were present at the 
meeting a great many happy men, who met one 
another with warm greetings. 

It was a long time before the committee could agree 
on the site. Finally we purchased a pretty little 
house, standing on an elevated spot, in the town of 
Worthington, which had belonged to Berkley Corn- 
stock. There were about four acres of beautiful land 
covered with fruit-trees, and one of the most enticing 
situations my eyes ever beheld. Some of the donors 
bound themselves to pay quite large sums of money. 
We had taken Miss Marsh's school, which was in a 
flourishing condition, under our patronage. For a 
while we went on with great unanimity. As soon as 
the public saw the enterprise was popular, other towns 
and vicinities put in their claims — Blendon and Dela- 
ware particularly. This distracted the public mind 
and produced a great deal of confusion. I told them 
the conference had not adopted the school, neither 
had we obtained a charter ; and if they would do bet- 



448 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ter for us than Worthington, we should give the best 
place the preference. Before conference the la- 
mented, pious, and talented Samuel Lewis paid us a 
visit, and made one of the best speeches on education 
I believe I ever heard. This gave us a fresh impetus, 
and we were encouraged to persevere. 

The conference met this year in Xenia. Being 
assisted by Miss Marsh, L. L. Hamline, William Herr, 
and Uriah Heath, we laid the whole scheme before 
the conference, showing the beauty and eligibility of 
the town of Worthington for a female seminary, and 
the amount of funds we had received by subscrip- 
tions, etc. The conference adopted the seminary as 
far as they could in its infant state, and appointed a 
committee to obtain a charter. 

I was returned again to Columbus district, and, to 
my surprise, I met opposition to our seminary from 
unexpected quarters; but we resolved never to faint 
or be discouraged till we had accomplished our object. 
I can not tell how other brethren felt who were engaged 
in this good cause; but I felt as old Nehemiah, that I 
was doing a great work and could not come down at 
the call of any man. I determined to build the house, 
or cause it to be built, if I had to hold the trowel in 
one hand and the sword in the other. 

We kept our school going, which increased in popu- 
larity. At length we got our materials together, ob- 
tained a charter, and organized and appointed trus- 
tees according to law. After many months of hard 
labor, we got the seminary buildings completed so far 



DEATH OF MRS. YOUNG. 449 

as answered our purpose for the present. In process 
of time we had all the claims against us liquidated, 
and gained a complete triumph over all our difficulties. 
We do not grudge the time or money we have spent 
on this institution; for we have more than realized 
our most sanguine expectations. I regard this semi- 
nary as the mother of all female seminaries under the 
patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ohio, 
and we ought to love and treat her as a mother. 

This proved to he an eventful period in my history 
in many respects. I had toiled hard and suffered 
much for many years to procure a suitable home for 
my family. And this year I had accomplished it far 
more than I had ever looked for. I became the right- 
ful owner of one of the prettiest farms in Perry 
county. The localities, with the privileges, were just 
such as I wished them to be. I moved my family on 
to the premises, where I intended to spend the re- 
mainder of our days. Alas ! 

" How vain are all things here below ; 
How false, and yet how fair ! 
Each pleasure hath its poison too, 
And every sweet a snare." 

In an hour all my flattering prospects were blighted. 

The very day that I procured my deed my wife was 

paralyzed, and after four months of extreme suffering 

she took her flight to that world where the inhabitants 

shall not say they are sick. I was left to lament my 

irreparable loss, and get along with my motherless 

family in the best manner I could. The preachers 

38 



450 FIFTY TEARS IK THE ITHTERAKCY. 

and people all appeared to sympathize with rae and 
bear me up. 

I closed my ministerial labors much to mv own 
comfort, and. as far as I know, to the satisfaction of 
the district. 

Our conference met this year in Columbus. I was 
reappointed to the same district. "We had again an 
excellent supply of ministers — Columbus station. Jo- 
seph A. "Waterman. As an intellectual man he had 
few superiors any where, and though self-taught he 
was a man of great acquirements. He had a feeble 
constitution and suffered great afflictions, which soon 
terminated his useful life. 

Robert S. Kiniber was an excellent man, who always 
appeared to disadvantage among strangers : but if he 
only had time to form an acquaintance, could make 
every body love him, and many adniire him. I will 
give one proof of what I say. I once invited him to 
help me hold a protracted meeting in the town of 
London. He arrived in the place on Friday, and it 
seemed that no one wished to hear him preach. On 
Saturday they whispered in my ear not to set that 
man up to preach to the large congregation. How- 
ever, he took the pulpit and preached, and the people 
went home well satisfied. At night he preached 
again, and they were delighted above measure. On 
Sunday almost every one was inquiring. i: Will brother 
Kimber preach to-day?'"' He staid about a week and 
did nearly all the preaching. He had a great work 
on Richwood circuit. His life was short but useful. 



PLEASANT YEARS. 451 

Andrew Murphy traveled Worthington circuit this 
year as junior preacher. He was a man of strong 
mind and a successful preacher. We had a fine revi- 
val in Plainfield township, mostly through his instru- 
mentality. 

The next year, in Columbus station, we had William 
Herr, a useful and active man, who, considering the 
condition in which he found the station, did well. 

I will here say, once for all, that during my last 
two years on Columbus district I was associated with 
a number of excellent ministers, and they all treated 
me as a father, and I delight to honor them all as 
sons in the Gospel. These were two of the most 
pleasant years of my itinerancy; many sinners were 
awakened, and hundreds of mourners converted to 
God. The Lord's children were built up and edified 
in their most holy faith. The Sunday schools pros- 
pered in our hands ; hundreds of happy children were 
under an intellectual, moral, and religious training in 
these nurseries of virtue. All the preachers within 
the bounds of the district took a very active and suc- 
cessful part in the cause of missions; and when I 
listened to their missionary sermons and saw the. 
large collections brought in, I thought to myself, 
these are the chosen instruments by whom God in- 
tends to convert the world. The good cause of edu- 
cation had also been progressing the last two years. 
I never expect to be associated with a better body of 
men, and I look back with renewed satisfaction on that 
delightful field of labor. 






452 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

GENERAL CONFERE NCE — 1840. 

This year our conference sat in Cincinnati. The 
Rev. John Ferree was appointed my successor. At 
this time they elected their delegates to the next Gen- 
eral conference, which was to meet in Baltimore in 
1840. I was elected the sixth time. "When our ap- 
pointments were read I found I was sent to form a new 
circuit in my old age. They gave me two little frag- 
ments to begin with; one was taken from Circleville, 
and the other from Worthington — only about three 
hundred members on the whole ground. I believe I 
thought like a sage, though I felt like a man. It 
appeared like a hard appointment, but I went on de- 
termined to make it an easy one. Brother David 
Lewis was my colleague, and a very pleasant yoke- 
fellow he was. "We organized our little circuit, and, 
working night and day, we endeavored to keep our 
souls alive to God and our minds illuminated by read- 
ing the holy Scriptures. The revival in several 
places began soon. Our good presiding elder came 
on at our first quarterly meeting, filled with the spirit 
of his station. The Lord blessed his labors in a very 
extraordinary manner, and much good was done 
among us. The work went on with increasing inter- 



GENERAL CONFE RE N CE— BISHOPS. 453 

est through the winter months, and many were added 
to the Church of such as shall be saved, I hope and 
trust, eternally in heaven. 

In the spring I left to attend the General confer- 
ence, and traveled to the city of Baltimore in company 
with G. Hamilton, R. 0. Spencer, and W. Herr. 

I had so often attended General conference that I 
was acquainted with all the members, except some 
younger ones. Bishop Roberts was our senior bishop. 
This was the last General conference which that great 
and good man ever attended. Bishop Soule's health 
was not good. Bishop Hedding was failing fast. 
Bishops "Waugh and Morris were young men, blessed 
with strong and healthy bodies, and with vigorous 
and active minds : they appeared well prepared to 
fill the stations to which the Church had called them. 

This conference was composed of strong men — 
equal, if not superior, to any that I had attended 
before. From the manner in which they transacted 
the business of the conference, I should think the 
most of them were holy men. They appeared to see 
and feel alike on every point concerning the good of 
the Church, except the vexed question of slavery. 
On this subject the north and the south were antago- 
nists. The policy of the bishops was, to keep slav- 
ery out of the conference, if possible, at this time; 
for the abolitionists had said and written a great 
many severe things on slavery, in the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, in the south. The southern preachers 
thought they had been misrepresented, and, to some 



454 FIIIY TEARS IH THE ITINERANCY. 

extent, slandered: and they were disposed to repel 

some of the arguments and assertions of the northern 
brethren. Xeither bishops nor conservative men 
could keep it ont. We were sure the debate would 
be long and weighty. There were men of the first 
order of talent, on both sides, such as Capers. Pierce, 
Winans, Payne. ZST. Bangs. Holdich, Peck, and 0. 
Scott. There was a large body of conservative mem- 
bers, who used their influence to preserve peace in 
our beloved Church. 

VTe succeeded well for awhile, and should have 
been successful till the close, had it not have t b m 
foi me unfortunate circumstance. The bishops had 
transferred the Rev. Silas Comfort, from 2Sew York 
state, to the Missouri conference, into St. Louis star 
tion, as preacher in charge. An unhappy dispute 
had taken place between a gentleman and lady, of 
high standing, in the St. Louis charge. Charges 
were preferred against the brother, and a colored 
man was the principal witness in the case. On his 
testimony the brother was convicted and expelled. 
This produced great excitement in the Church, in 
that city; for, in none of the shareholding states, da 
they admit colored persons to testify against white 
persons, in either civil or ecclesiastical courts. Al- 
though there is no law in the Discipline for this 
practice, yet it was a long-established custom, which 
had a all the force of law. in the estimation 

of both preachers and people, not only in Missouri, 
but in all the southern conferences. 



CASE OF SILAS COMFORT. 455 

The expelled brother took an appeal to the annual 
conference. They condemned the administration of 
brother Comfort, and restored the expelled brother 
to membership again, and by so doing passed a cen- 
sure upon brother Comfort. Though they inflicted 
no punishment on the appellant, yet he thought he 
was injured, and took an appeal to the next General 
conference. 

When this came up Bishop Roberts was in the 
chair ; and, being a wise man, he foresaw the evil, 
though he did not try to hide himself, yet he en- 
deavored to save the conference from a great deal 
of trouble. The Bishop presented to the conference 
his opinion, that brother Comfort had no right to 
an appeal. He stated his opinion very clearly, and 
showed his reasons in a most masterly manner. I 
thought the reasons were strong enough to produce 
conviction in the most obtuse intellect, but an appeal 
was taken, and the conference decided against the 
chair. This was a dreadful hour to me, for I saw the 
tug of war had now come — our strong men were 
armed for the combat. The Rev. Andrew Monroe 
took the floor to defend the administration of the Mis- 
souri conference ; and George Peck to defend the 
administration of Silas Comfort. It was soon seen 
that brother Peck was altogether too strong a man for 
brother Monroe. 

This debate lasted a number of days, and produced 
a very unpleasant excitement throughout the societies 
in the city of Baltimore, among the colored members 



456 FIFTY YEAES IN THE ITINERANCY. 

in particular. I do not know that any one of them 
had ever been called upon to testify against a white 
person in a Church trial, but they could not bear the 
idea of being interdicted by the General conference. 
Brother Few led off in defense of the Missouri con- 
ference, and 0. Scott in defense of the appellant — 
two very strong men, and experienced and able 
debaters. Mr. Few dealt largely in Latin, Greek, 
ancient and modern Church history. He was, also, 
a legal man, and appeared to be well skilled in eccle- 
siastical and civil law; yet, it put him to all he knew 
to answer the arguments of Orange Scott. *\Ve could 
see that he often felt the- keen edge of Scott's logic. 
Many other brethren took an active part in these pro- 
tracted debates. I am sorry to say that they often 
lost the command of their temper. Although I was 
no prophet, nor the son of a prophet, neither did I 
profess to be a far-seeing man, yet I was sure the 
southern, northern, and middle conferences could 
not hold together much longer. Bishop Soule occu- 
pied the ground of a mediator — giving the clearest 
evidence of the strength of his mind, and the good- 
ness of his heart. He was greatly assisted by the 
Bev. Dr. Newton; and, with the aid of those great 
and good men, we finished this death-like struggle 
in a way that reflected honor on the wisdom and 
goodness of the conference. The debates being closed, 
the vote was taken, and Comfort was sustained. 

As we have already noticed, Dr. Newton was 
present. He was truly a great man. I had the 



ROBERT NEWTON. 457 

pleasure to hear him preach often. Although his 
sermons were not ornamented like Blair's sermons, 
or Massillon's — yet he was among the best practical 
preachers I ever heard. He preached once to us in 
the conference-room, from the prayer of Moses to the 
children of Israel, "That God might make them a 
thousand times so many more as they were." The 
great point in the sermon was — Robert Newton's 
prayer for the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the 
United States of America. This capped the climax 
of all that we heard from his sanctified lips. He was 
equally as good on the platform as in the pulpit. 
His strong and clear speeches gave a fresh impetus 
to our missionary operations. His wise sayings and 
pious counsel, shed a glowing luster over the whole 
body — both bishops and delegates. His person was 
large and well proportioned — his countenance fine, 
and his head as good as I ever saw on any man. 

He fulfilled his mission to the American Methodists 
a little better than any one who preceded him. But 
the painful hour at length arrived, when he must take 
his departure to his own country. It was truly a 
melting time, and many tears were shed. Some of 
the preachers proposed that he should take his stand 
in front of the pulpit, and the members of the con- 
ference should be formed into procession, the bishops 
taking the lead, and the members following, that 
every one might have the privilege of shaking his 
hand. He looked pleased and gratified, but replied, 

"Ah, brethren, that would take too much of your 

39 



458 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

precious time. I will shake hands with you all in my 
heart." He made his gentlemanly bow, and walked 
off, and we saw his face no more. 

I am thankful to my heavenly Father that I ever 
saw and heard Robert Newton. By his request, 
Bishop Soule was elected to attend as our delegate 
to the British conference. 

Our bishops acquitted themselves like men of God, 
and preserved order through the whole term of this 
exciting conference ; considering the circumstances, 
we traveled through all our business in peace and 
harmony. This conference was rendered a lasting 
blessing to the city of Baltimore. There were many 
able ministers in that body, and they had great 
liberty in declaring the counsel of God, and the word 
had free course, and was glorified. The business 
being over, and, I believe, well done, the journals 
were read, and we prepared to take our leave of the 
Monumental City. 

On our return, our company was entertaining. 
Among them was the celebrated General Van Renssel- 
aer, and two of his daughters, on their way to visit 
General Harrison, who was then candidate for the 
Presidency. They had been companions in arms, 
in the dark, bloody days of the Indian war in the 
great west. He was an excellent old gentleman, 
who had his mind well stored with anecdotes, which 
he related to great advantage, and to the entertain- 
ment of our company. 

This voyage brought to my recollection, very 



INDIAN CHIEF, LOGAN. 459 

vividly, thoughts that had long slumbered in my 
mind, as we passed over the stamping-ground of the 
famous Indian chief, Logan. It is generally known 
that Logan was both great and good ; and that he 
was a fast friend to white men — so much so, that 
when the Indian warriors would pass his wigwam, 
they would point, and say, " There lives Logan, 
friend to white man !" He went to war with the 
whites very reluctantly, and, I suppose, never would 
have done it, had it not been for the cruel conduct 
of Colonel Cressup, who murdered his wives and chil- 
dren, I think at the mouth of Captina, on the Ohio 
river, but some say at the mouth of Yellow creek. 
Permit me here to say, that I love the name and 
memory of Logan ; but as I have not room to say 
much more of this great man, I will relate an anec- 
dote, and leave him. 

At an early day, two white men were exploring 
this country with a view to settle their families there. 
The day being warm, they became weary and thirsty ; 
they had the good fortune to come to an excellent 
spring, and, as they had no vessel to lift the water, 
they bowed themselves to quench their thirst. They 
saw in the clear stream the shadow of an Indian 
standing at a distance, with his gun in hand, and 
his cap and plume on his head. They were alarmed, 
snatched their guns, and hid behind two trees. 
Logan made signs to them that he was the famous 
Logan. He made signs to them not to shoot, 
stepped toward them, and held out his hand as a 



460 FIFTY YEARS IH THE ITINERANCY. 

token of friendship. They saw that Logan had 
them in his power, but was not disposed to kill them. 
This inspired confidence in that Indian chief. I 
relate this as a true specimen of the general character 
of Logan. 

After we left Harrisburg, we resolved to hare 
preaching on the boat. Hardline preached once, and 
gave notice for preaching the next evening at seven 
o'clock ; but the captain and crew gave strong indi- 
cations that our services would not be acceptable. 
It was late on Saturday evening when we arrived in 
Hollidaysburg. We spent the Sabbath there. We 
preached in the forenoon, afternoon, and at night. 
Hamline, Ames, and Tomlinson made some of their 
happiest efforts. On Monday morning I preached. 
We then started on the cars for Pittsburg: this 
route led through a romantic and interesting coun- 
try, and this was my first trip on the railroad. 
By means of a stationary engine on the top of the 
mountain, the cars were brought from the foot of 
the mountain to the summit, and went down on the 
other side the same way — we passed through one tun- 
nel, which was all strange and new to me. On 
Monday afternoon we arrived safe in the city of 
Pittsburg. I renewed my acquaintance with some 
friends, whom I had known in early life — among 
them was Mrs. Anna Lee, who was then a widow. 
When I first knew her, she was Miss Anna Kent. 

I reached Columbus by way of Wheeling. When 
I reached my circuit, they had a protracted meeting 



CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 461 

in progress, in the town of Pickerington. - I found 
my colleague, brother Lewis, well, and in the midst 
of a glorious revival. Worthington Seminary still 
claimed much of my attention through the summer, 
and I found that I was overcharged with business. 
My subscriptions for the Seminary, and the turnpike 
passing through my farm, in Somerset, were far 
too large for my abilities. My family expenses at 
that time were very great, and my wife being dead, 
the circuit only allowed me the salary of a single 
man ; yet, notwithstanding all these embarrassments, 
we had a prosperous summer. We began the year 
with a membership of three hundred, and closed 
with nearly one thousand. 



462 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY, 



CHAPTER XXXIY. 

RUSHVILLE, NEW RICHMOND, AND NORTH BEND 

CIRCUITS — 1840-1844. 

I attended conference this year — 1840 — in Zanes- 
ville. Bishop Hedding was our president; Bishop 
Soule assisted him. The conference had become very 
large. A vast amount of business was to be trans- 
acted, which proved too hard for Bishop Hedding in 
his feeble state of health. 

We had an interesting session, and the conference 
closed in good time. I was reappointed to the same 
circuit; John Ferree was my presiding elder, and 
T. A. G. Phillips was my colleague. He was a man 
after my own heart — he had an opinion of his own, 
and echoed the opinions of no man, bishops, presid- 
ing elder, or colleague ; whatever his hand found to 
do, was done with his might. He liked to have his 
own way and carry out his own views ; but if you 
convinced him by an argument that he was wrong, 
he would yield as soon as any man I ever knew. 
He was a man of good acquirements, a practical and 
experimental preacher, his zeal and industry com- 
mendable. We were true yoke-fellows in the Gospel 
harness. The revival continued in Pickerington ; 
between two and three hundred professed to be con- 



REVIVAL — THE ELDER. 463 

verted. That year, a revival commenced in Rey- 
noldsburg, Groveport, Hopewell, Walnut Hills, and 
Lithopolis. 

One day, as I was passing through Pickerington, 
I saw one of the young converts coming out of a 
corn-field ; I first inquired after his health ; the 
second inquiry was, "How does the revival go on." 
He answered, " ! very well ; only they have nearly 
all left off praying in secret." I asked him, "How 
do you know that?" "Why," said he, "I hear 
them every day in the fields, and in the woods, pray- 
ing so loud that every body might hear them." 

At our second quarterly meeting, they prayed, 
sung, and shouted so loud, that our presiding elder 
became dissatisfied, and said that I ought to regulate 
them, for they were fanatical, and would bring re- 
proach upon the Church. I told him, " I wish to 
be excused;" that if he wished that work to be done, 
he would have to do it himself. On Sunday morn- 
ing we had our love-feast, and before we were half 
through, the presiding elder made as much noise as 
any man in the house. I heard no more complaint 
about noise during the whole year. 

I forgot to tell that, last year, we had a camp meet- 
ing on the circuit which resulted in great good — the 
quarterly meeting conference concluded to have an- 
other this year in the same place. And as there was 
a great complaint last year for want of accommoda- 
tions, there was a proposition to the quarterly confer- 
ence to keep a boarding-tent. This met with much 



464 FIFTY YEARS VS THE ITINERANCY. 

opposition from some of the oldest members of the 
circuit. The vote was taken and carried in the 
affirmative ; and William H. Rary was authorized to 
keep a respectable boarding-tent: he took special pains 
to prepare for the accommodation of gentlemen and 
ladies, but such was the malignity of the wicked that 
before the meeting commenced, they came in the 
night, tore down his tent, and burned part of it up. 
But Rary was not a man to be conquered — he re- 
paired his tent and governed it through the whole 
course of the meeting in a way that did honor to him- 
self and the Church. Although we had a stormy time, 
yet it wound up gloriously. 

In the beginning of this conference year I went 
to Pittsburg, and married Mrs. Anna Lee, and con- 
ducted her to the new parsonage in Groveport. My 
colleague and his family lived with us in the same 
house — the circuit not being able to procure another 
building. As the preachers loved one another, so 
did their wives. Although we were rather scarce of 
room, we lived together very agreeably. 

This was a year of hard toil and labor, for over 
and above all my ministerial duties, on the circuit, I 
had much to do for our schools. "Worthington and 
Rlendon, looked for my attention beside the Sab- 
bath schools — I also met with some things of an 
unpleasant nature : but was enabled, through grace, 
to sustain myself. The year closed under the smiles 
of Heaven, the glory of God, and the prosperity of 
the circuit. 



DELAWARE. 465 

Our conference met this year in Urbana. The 
spirit of education ran high throughout our bounds. 
We felt a laudable zeal to have all the people edu- 
cated in our growing state, both male and female. 
We were now convinced that we could no longer 
sustain Augusta College. The Kentucky conference 
having withdrawn her patronage, the whole burden 
now devolved upon the Ohio conference. The insti- 
tution being in a slave state, our people felt no great 
zeal in keeping it up, and we were now on the 
look-out for a suitable site for a college within our 
bounds. 

At this conference the citizens of Delaware sent 
up a deputation to offer us the well-known Man- 
sion House, connected with the famous White Sulphur 
Springs, in the town of Delaware, on the condition 
that the conference would erect such an institution of 
learning as this great and flourishing country de- 
manded. This property had been purchased, by the 
citizens of Delaware, for ten thousand dollars. The 
conference entertained this proposition willingly, and 
sent on a committee immediately to examine the site, 
and report the result of their examination before our 
session closed. 

Dr. Elliott was the foreman of the committee, and 
he read the report ; he said the site was every way 
suitable — -just such a one as the Church and country 
stood in need of. He gave us a description of the 
ground, the beautiful Sulphur Springs, and the en- 
virons of the place — he closed his report by say- 



466 FIFTY TEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

ing that God had never made another place just 
like it. 

The conference then appointed a board of commis- 
sioners to close the contract between the citizens of 
Delaware, and the Ohio and North Ohio conferences. 
They met accordingly, called the citizens together, 
and told them the conference had accepted their offer. 
Dr. Elliott was the foreman of this board, and he 
told the citizens what the conference intended to do; 
and I would like to record it here as near as possible, 
in his own words : " Gentlemen, the conference have 
accepted your offer, and will bind themselves to erect 
an institution of learning — and one of no ordinary 
grade — a college of a high order. Yes, gentlemen, 
we will bring New Haven here, even something 
greater than New Haven." This produced loud 
laughter, and a great many hearty amens. TTe 
closed the contract, and purchased another parcel 
of ground of Mr. Powel, which we thought necessary 
to make the college grounds complete. 

This contract was made in September, 1841. It 
was a new epoch in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in the great western valley : and in fact, throughout 
these United States. Methodism has, for many years, 
occupied a high ground in this country, but this insti- 
tution of learning gave her a still higher elevation. 
It is, in some respects, like the kingdom of heaven, 
which is compared to leaven hid in three measures of 
meal. We all know that leaven can not operate in 
frozen dough — neither can it operate when the pro- 



EDUCATION. 467 

portion of meal is too great for the quantity of 
leaven; but the great excellency of Methodism is — 
that she has a time for every thing, and does every 
thing punctually at the time. Useful learning could 
not be diffused, while the masses of the people were 
like frozen dough. The early pioneers of Methodism 
had prepared the hearts and minds of the people for 
these eventful days; and now the Church is extend- 
ing her sanctified learning throughout the whole 
United States. Evangelical preaching had warmed 
the hearts of the people which were some time like 
frozen dough, and now the leaven of religion and 
learning is operating gloriously. These are happy 
days for Methodism, notwithstanding the opinion of 
croakers, and false prophets, to the contrary. Every 
intellectual and honest man who attended our last 
General conference, at Indianapolis, and listened to 
the debates, will sustain me in this opinion. 

According to my limited abilities and circumstan- 
ces, I have done all within my power for this institu- 
tion. I was present and took an active part in its 
origin, and have lived to witness its rise and progress, 
often with fearful anxiety. I was one of the trustees 
when the board was first organized, and I am sincere 
when I say that I was never associated with a more 
reliable body of men. It is true that some of the 
board grew weary and became discouraged at the 
most trying crisis and retired, but the majority was 
steady to their purpose ; they resolved never to aban- 
don the enterprise till they had accomplished their 



468 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

laudable design. Thomas Orr, Wilder Joy, Patrick 
G. Good, James Godman, Adam N. Riddle, Samuel 
Williams, John H. Power, Adam Poe, Leonard B. 
Gurley, David Young, Daniel Brush, and others, ought 
to be remembered with gratitude; they were all lovers 
of learning and religion. I engaged in this enter- 
prise with an eye single to the glory of God, and with 
a pure intention to do good to the present and follow- 
ing generations ; and whatever my hand found to do 
in this great work, I did with my might. Though 
frequently the whole concern appeared to me like a 
forlorn hope, yet I was never discouraged. I con- 
tinued to co-operate with the board till my health and 
strength failed. This institution is greatly indebted 
to Frederick Merrick and Uriah Heath. They are 
the men that raised the money. Their labor, indus- 
try, zeal, and success has no parallel in my recol- 
lection. 

The College is now well endowed; the grounds are 
highly improved; the College Chapel is the best I ever 
saw; the library will compare well with any in the 
country, when we consider the age of the institution; 
the library building is a fine house; the College is 
now blessed with an able board of trustees ; the faculty 
is a little superior to any one I have been acquainted 
with. They generally have between five and six hun- 
dred students there under intellectual, moral, and re- 
ligious training, and they are going out every year 
to spread science, literature, morality, and our holy 
religion throughout the lands of North America. 



RUSHVILLE— R. 0. SPENCER. 469 

This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in 
our eyes. I look back with pleasure on the years. I 
have spent in helping to build up this institution. It 
casts a melancholy gloom over my mind when I think 
I shall see that lovely spot no more; but this is dis- 
persed by the thought that I shall soon go to the 
city that lieth foursquare. 

I was appointed this year to Rushville circuit, and 
moved my family from Groveport to the parsonage in 
Rushville. The Rev. Robert 0. Spencer was my pre- 
siding elder. He is well known, and his praise is in 
all the Churches — a man of good abilities, a pious 
Christian, an able minister of the New Testament, 
and an excellent Church officer. Andrew Carroll was 
my colleague. He is truly eloquent, and mighty in 
the Scriptures. We understood each other, and 
worked together to advantage. 

I had many peculiar advantages on the circuit, and 
one of the greatest was the society, counsel, and ex- 
ample of a superannuated preacher, who lived in 
Rushville, by the name of Henry F. Fernandes. He 
was one of the salt of the earth, and a burning and 
shining light in his day. His amiable wife, also, is to 
to be remembered among the first of her sex. 

We had in our charge another worn-out preacher — 
Jacob Hooper. He was a wise counselor, a strong 
preacher, and, the best of all, an honest man. We had 
a strong and sanctified officiary, at the head of whom 
was the far-famed Jacob Game. We had been pre- 
ceded by Martin Kellogg; and I must do him justice 



470 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

by saying he left the circuit in good order. We went 
to work with our might. There was a revival influ- 
ence in all our congregations. The Lord was with us 
at all our quarterly meetings — an excellent revival in 
Rushville, also at Marsh's Chapel, Thornville, and 
Cross enville. 

We were sorry to find the temperance cause was on 
the decline. Some of our members had got to drink- 
ing drams. We found it necessary to remodel the 
society, and to adopt the Washingtonian pledge in 
place of the old one. We met with strong opposition 
at our first meeting — many liked the old pledge the 
best. Their argument was, the Washingtonians were 
ultra. We debated the subject for several hours, and 
when we presented the Washingtonian pledge it was 
adopted, and eighty-four persons came forward and 
signed the pledge. Those in the opposition said that 
we had seriously injured the cause of temperance by 
this movement; that there was a society in this place 
of six hundred members, and out of them we had got 
but eighty-four, and the balance — five hundred and 
sixteen — would, in all probability, fall back into their 
former practice. We continued to hold our meetings, 
appointed agents to receive members, who were on 
the alert all the time, and were always ready to attend 
to all who applied for membership, and when the year 
closed there were fourteen hundred who had signed 
the Washingtonian pledge, and the cause of temper- 
ance has triumphed in all that region ever since. 

We closed our labors on this circuit with a most 



LONDON CIRCUIT — REVIVAL. 471 

glorious camp meeting. Brother Carroll received a 
fresh baptism of the Holy Ghost. C. Brooks, T. A. 
G. Phillips, and W. P. Strickland came to our help. 
Our conference sat this year in Hamilton and Ross- 
ville, on the Great Miami, 1842. 

Bishop Morris appointed me to the London circuit. 
After the close of the conference I went down to 
Cincinnati, found my wife and daughter sick with 
chills and fever, made the best arrangement in my 
power for my afflicted family, and went on to my cir- 
cuit, which was about seventy miles distant. My 
heart was heavy, but I remembered Lot's wife and 
dare not look behind. Zechariah Connell was my pre- 
siding elder, and William Sutton my colleague. I 
suppose they thought I could take care of myself, and 
they would say little to me. The work of the Lord 
soon began to revive in the town of London and 
other places. At our first quarterly meeting Z. Con- 
nell received a heavenly baptism, and was like a flaming 
herald the balance of the year. Brother Sutton was 
a very reliable man. We had several excellent preach- 
ers living on the circuit — brother Steele, brother 
China, brother Ebenezer Webster, and brother Jacob 
Martin — though much afflicted and unable to do effect- 
ive work, his example and counsel was very useful. 
My coming on to the circuit was of great advantage 
to me, and I hope I was no disadvantage to it. I 
formed friendships that will be as lasting as eternity. 
James Foster, Stephen Moore, Isaac Moore, and Jo- 
seph Warner, and Sally Warner will never be forgot- 



472 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ten by me. She was a mother in Israel, and one of 
the best friends I have met with in the house of my 
pilgrimage. I delivered my valedictory all round the 
circuit, and many tears were shed both by the preacher 
and the people. 

At this conference, they elected their delegates to 
the famous General conference, that was to meet in 
New York in 1844. We had rather a barren time. 
I did not hear of one soul being converted during the 
session. I was appointed to New Richmond circuit, 
which was within a few miles of my family. Michael 
Marlay was my presiding elder. He was an excellent 
man, had a correct view of moral justice in all its 
bearings and ramifications, treated the preachers on 
the district with great urbanity and brotherly kindness, 
and was a good theologian ; and his example, publicly 
and privately, was worthy of imitation. W. H. Law- 
der was my colleague, who was the preacher in charge. 
He was a good preacher, and a pleasant colleague. 

We had as fine a body of local preachers on this 
circuit as I ever met with. Benjamin Lakin was then 
living in our midst, and these were some of his last 
days. He shone like a star of the first magnitude, 
and was truly a primitive Gospel minister. He com- 
menced his itinerant career, in early life, in the state 
of Kentucky. In that part where he lived, the 
people dwelt in log-cabins, and their costume was 
that of the backwoodsmen and hunters. He lived 
and dressed like his neighbors; and used to go to 
meeting dressed in his hunting-shirt and moccasins. 



LAKIN— CONFERENCE. 473 

When he was called upon to exhort, such was his 
thundering eloquence, that he astonished the congre- 
gations wherever he went. He entered the traveling 
connection while he was a young man, and traveled 
very extensively. He bore the toils and privations 
connected with an itinerant life for more than thirty 
years, and literally wore himself out. He took a 
superannuated relation to the conference. He pos- 
sessed his soul in great patience. Having no family 
of his own, he lived with his brother's children. 
Sometimes, his dividend would not be over twelve 
dollars in a year. He was ready to preach on all 
occasions, when his bodily strength would admit of it, 
was useful and acceptable till the last of his life, and 
died in the prospect of a blissful immortality. 

Andrew M'Lain, John M'Lain, William Nicholson, 
brother Daily, brother Shellcross, and brother Cal- 
houn were all useful local preachers on that circuit. 
The numerical strength was very great, numbering 
upward of fourteen hundred members. We had a 
year of success, and left the circuit in prosperity. 

Our conference met, this year, in Marietta. Bishop 

Waugh was our president; and Bishop Soule assisted 

him. The conference was very large, and nearly all 

the members seemed, in some degree, excited. We 

found it necessary, at an early hour, to attempt to 

define our position, and to know how we stood with 

regard to the plan of division. In order to ascertain 

this fact to our satisfaction, Rev. George W. Walker, 

William P. Strickland, and myself drew up a pream- 

40 



474 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ble and resolutions, approving of what the General 
conference did in relation to Bishop Andrew, and, 
also, the general course which our own delegation 
pursued throughout the whole course of the General 
conference in New York. 

When the resolutions were read, it appeared to 
electrify Edmund W. Sehon and Dr. Latta. The 
venerable William Burke became clamorous. We 
could not speak to the resolutions. Both of the 
bishops appeared to throw all their influence against 
them. After the first shock was over, the confer- 
ence became quiet. There were so many speakers 
anxious to get the floor, I resumed my seat. The 
question was debated with great warmth for several 
hours, when the vote was called for. The bishops 
appeared to be alarmed. Brother John F. Wright 
made a motion to refer the report to a committee of 
nine. I was appointed chairman of the committee. 
This was a plan to stave it off, that we might have 
more time for reflection. 

The preamble and resolutions met with great oppo- 
sition in the committee, but were finally reported back 
to the conference, by a vote of seven to two. It 
was taken up again in the conference, and both the 
preamble and resolutions passed triumphantly. The 
southern brethren saw that we were men of decision, 
and that we had understandingly defined our position 
in relation to slavery, and that we were determined to 
keep it. By the blessing of a merciful Providence, 
we occupy the same ground to this day. I was never 



NORTH BEND — GEN. HARRISON. 475 

a rabid abolitionist, yet I am antislavery, to all intents 
and purposes ; and, like the great founder of Meth- 
odism, Kev. John Wesley, I regard slavery as the sum 
of all villainies. 

This was a tedious conference, but we closed up 
our business in the best manner we could, and took 
our departure to our several fields of labor. I was 
appointed to North Bend circuit, which lay near Cin- 
cinnati. Our presiding elder was Zechariah Connell ; 
Joseph A. Reeder was my colleague. He was sorely 
afflicted with inflammatory rheumatism, and could do 
but little. We found the circuit in a low condition. 
We went to work as usual, but had very little help 
from local preachers on the circuit. Bishop Morris, 
Bishop Hamline, Dr. Elliott, and brother Mitchell 
assisted all they could, conveniently. They gave a 
new impetus to the Lord's work within our bounds. 

This circuit lay on what might be called placid 
ground. North Bend was one of the oldest towns in 
Ohio, and was the residence of the celebrated General 
Harrison. His residence was called a " log-cabin;" 
and it was one, and a very pretty one, too. The 
scenery and shrubbery around that place were truly 
lovely. Mrs. Harrison was an honor to her husband, 
her father and mother, to her children, and to the 
Church of Christ. I have spent many happy hours 
in looking at the resting-place of the noble General 
Harrison. I often visited the home of his amiable 
widow, and of the pious, intelligent young widow of 
his son Benjamin. I was always received cordially. 



476 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Cleve Symmes was the father-in-law of Harrison. He 
had lived within about two miles of Harrison's, in a 
little town now called after his given name. I found 
here some fine families — brother Samuel Brown, Mr. 
Rittenhouse, his brother-in-law, sister Hall, sister Rit- 
tenhouse, brother Biddle and family, brother Green 
and family, brother Matson and family, brother Moore 
and family, brother Woolley, and many others, whom 
I do not now recollect, who were really and truly the 
excellent of the earth, and all lived on our circuit. I 
had many things to contend with that were hard to 
control. Methodism had once flourished extensively 
in this country, but was now on the decline. Some 
of the villages the preachers had abandoned alto- 
gether, and many of the Church members had become 
worldly-minded, and prone to find fault with their 
ministers, and had very little fellowship among them- 
selves ; many families were like the Jews and Samari- 
tans, having no dealings together. Yet, notwithstand- 
ing, we had some revival on different parts of the 
circuit, particularly in the town of Cheviot, Cleve- 
town and Rittenhouse-hill. 

"We closed our labors on this circuit with a camp 
meeting — some little good was done. My family still 
lived in Cincinnati. "As iron sharpeneth iron, so 
doth the countenance of a man his friend/' E. 
Thomson, John T. Mitchell, L. Swormstedt, T. A. 
Morris, L. L. Hamline, and C. Elliott, took a partic- 
ular interest in my welfare, and in that of my family, 
and were a great advantage to us. 



SOULE AND THE OHIO CONFERENCE. 477 



CHAPTER XXXY. 

MARIETTA DISTRICT — 1845-1848. 

The conference met this year, 1845, in Cincinnati; 
Bishop Hamline, President. Many of the preachers 
had dreaded going there — thought there were lions in 
the way. Bishop Soule had declared his intention to 
go to the Southern Church, but had not formally left 
the Methodist Episcopal Church as yet. He was 
expected to attend the conference. Hamline was a 
young Bishop, and Soule an old, experienced superin- 
tendent. He was long-headed, and we trembled for 
the safety of the conference. A number of the min- 
isters were under southern influence and intended to 
go South ; some said Bishop Soule would take the 
chair; others thought he would not dare to do it; 
some thought Hamline would not suffer it to be done ; 
but others were of the opinion that he would yield to 
Bishop Soule. The morning arrived, when it was 
expected he would take his seat as President of the 
Ohio conference. The preachers collected early in 
the yard, but would not enter the house till they 
knew whether he would take the chair or not. If he 
did, they determined to retire and break the quorum, 
so that the conference could not do business. 

About the time that the Bishop made his appear- 



478 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ance, Finley walked up, and urged all the preachers 
to go into the conference-room. They objected, and 
said Bishop Soule was going to preside. Finley told 
them he would not preside. The reply was, " Yes, 
he will — he has just gone into the house. Hamline 
will give way to him — and there is no one that will 
have courage enough to oppose him." Sure enough 
he took the chair with great boldness, looked round 
with much dignity, as he used to do, upon the confer- 
ence. After prayers there was a preamble and reso- 
lution read, setting forth the illegality of his presiding 
in the conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
after having declared his intention to unite with 
another Church — and respectfully requesting him to 
leave the chair. Some brother, I suppose under the 
Bishop's influence, brought up a small item of busi- 
ness, wishing it to be acted upon before the vote was 
taken — supposing that if he put the question and then 
pronounced the vote, that would establish his author- 
ity to preside. Finley was wide awake ; Young sprang 
to his feet, and entered his solemn protest against 
one item being acted upon, till the vote was taken upon 
the foregoing resolutions. Bishop Hamline arose, 
and called David Young to the chair — David would 
not obey him. He then called Jacob Young. Many 
cried out, " That would not be in order." Hamline 
then called brother Quinn to the chair. Brother 
Burke commenced a big speech, and four or five 
other speakers were on the floor. Brother Quinn 
could not preserve order. 



THE DECISION. 479 

Hamline came walking back toward the chair cry- 
ing, " Order ! order !" upon the top of his voice. Poor 
old brother Quinn got up out of the chair, quick 
enough. The Bishop then remarked that we were all 
out of order. He requested brother Burke to take 
his seat, and we all became calm. He then addressed 
us in a very clear and lucid manner, on the position 
the two Churches now occupied. "Now," said he, 
" none of these remarks have any reference to Bishop 
Soule." Thereupon he commenced again by say- 
ing, "The following remarks have particular refer- 
ence to Bishop Soule, and Bishop Soule alone." He 
showed in a few words the position Bishop Soule then 
occupied, and resumed his seat. The vote was then 
taken on the resolutions, and by an almost unanimous 
vote he was requested to leave the chair. Bishop 
Soule remained in his seat a few minutes, then quietly 
retired, and we saw him no more during our session. 
During the conference Dr. Latta made a long speech, 
and was responded to by brother Moody — much 
learned dust involved the combatants — both claimed 
truth — but I will not say the truth claimed them. 

This was an important and interesting conference — 
there was a vast amount of business done in a short 
time, and as far as came under my observation, done 
according to the Discipline of the Methodist Epis- 
copal 'Church. I was appointed to Marietta district. 

I located my family in the town of Athens. I then 
went on to my district, and whatsoever my hand 
found to do, did it with my might. 



480 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

My first quarterly meeting was held in Marietta. 
Brother E. Y. Bing and Jos. T. Lewis were stationed 
in that place. They were preaching like evangelists. 
The Church was prospering. "We had a good time — 
the mourners' bench was crowded every night during 
the meeting, and a goodly number were converted. 

These men were good ministers of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. Lewis was a very superior young man. As 
a pulpit orator, I never knew his superior, for one of 
his age. But by a mysterious Providence he was 
called away in his youth. His early death was uni- 
versally lamented by friends, and the Church sus- 
tained a great loss. 

From Marietta I went on to Barlow circuit, found 
it in a prosperous state. Arza Brown and John W. 
Fowble were their preachers ; they stood high in 
the confidence and affections of the people with whom 
they labored. 

From this place I went to Coolville circuit. Andrew 
Murphy and Richard Pitzer traveled there. Murphy 
was not a man of the first order of talents, but was an 
excellent, every-day, practical preacher. Pitzer was 
a young man who had just entered the ministry ; he 
had taken some pains to improve his mind, and had 
considerable native talent. His zeal reminded me 
of Dr. Coke's definition of zeal — love kindled into a 
flame. He was a pleasant companion wherever he 
went. 

From this place I went to Pomeroy; found the 
circuit a little below zero. Joseph Brown traveled 



BONTICUE, DILLON, ETC. 481 

there. He was moving along with his usual speed. 
From thence I went to Chester circuit, and found it 
in a pretty bad condition. Orville Shelton and Charles 
H. Warren were there. They were somewhat dis- 
couraged — both good, experimental, and practical 
preachers. They held on their heavenly way, and the 
Lord blessed their labors. From Letart Falls I went 
on to Athens circuit. Brother J. C. Bontecou, and 
brother Isaac Dillon were traveling there. Brother 
Bontecou was a man of fine preaching talents — but 
was not successful that year. Brother Dillon was a 
very promising young man — a good scholar, and a 
very good preacher, for one of his age. 

From Athens I went on to M'Arthurstown cir- 
cuit, and found it in a state of great prosperity. 
James M'Cutchen and Andrew Dixon traveled there. 
M'Cutchen was a sprightly preacher, talented and 
useful — brother Dixon a patient, long-suffering, and 
good man. From here I went on to Mount Pleasant, 
and found the circuit prospering, but no preacher on 
it. The Rev. John C. Havens had been sent there, 
but was taken sick, and did not go on. I had to look 
for some one to supply his place, and another to fill 
the vacancy, fo^the Bishop had sent but one preacher 
there, and it needed the labor of two men. I pro- 
cured a young man by the name of Wesley Tibbets, 
and gave him the charge, and another young man by 
the name of Charles H. Lawton, to be his colleague. 
They went right into the work, and the Lord honored 

them publicly and privately. 

41 



4S2 FIFTY YEARS IX THE ITINERANCY. 

I found Tibbets to be a strong man. I will give 
one specimen that will serve for the whole. He ap- 
pointed a protracted meeting at one of his preaching- 
places — he held it thirty days — preached one sermon 
every day, and held prayer meeting at nisht — he had 
no preacher to help him. but his meeting resulted in 
the conversion of fiftv or sixtv souls. Lawton was 
a pleasant young man and a very acceptable preacher. 
This was the best year that Mount Pleasant ever 
enjoyed. 

From this circuit I went to Logan circuit, and 
found it flourishing like a green olive-tree, in a well- 
watered garden, under the faithful labors of James B. 
Austin, who was truly a faithful minister — he was 
successful wherever he went. 

From Logan I went to Deavertown circuit, and 
found it prospering, with J. T. Holliday alone. I 
soon found a young man by the name of Wilson to 
help him. Holliday was known to be an excellent 
man, and generally useful to the people of his charge. 
Wilson had some talent, and was generally useful. 

From this place I rode to Amesville, and found 
brother Metcalf laboring alone. 

I had now finished my first round of quarterly 
meetings on Marietta district. My strength had been 
increased. I felt that I was in my right place. All 
the circuits and stations appeared to smile upon me. 
The people and preachers received me kin ly where- 
ever I went. In this manner I spent the first year 
on that delightful district. Our quarterly and pro- 



TIMES OF PROSPERITY. 483 

tracted meetings were seasons of gracious revival 
throughout our bounds. It is true that some things 
transpired, occasionally, that marred our peace, but 
they were soon over, and it flowed on again as a 
river. Those joyful days will never be forgotten by 
me, in time or in eternity. 

I commenced my second round early in the win- 
ter — found the good work increasing in Marietta and 
Harmar. Brother Joseph T. Lewis was engaged in 
delivering a course of lectures on civil and ecclesias- 
tical history: those lectures were well received, and 
brought together large congregations. The Lord's 
work was still reviving in Barlow. Brother Brown's 
health was very poor — he was faint, yet pursuing. 
Every thing was flaming on Coolville. The preachers 
worked in harmony, and God blessed them. Chester 
circuit had changed for the better. Pomeroy was 
much the same. M'Arthurstown was still prospering, 
and the Lord was doing wonders on Mount Pleasant. 
They had there .an unusual increase within the last 
three months. There was no material change on 
Logan — dull times in Athens and Amesville — Deav- 
ertown still prospering. I returned home — sat down 
in my own little habitation, and reviewed my second 
round of quarterly meetings with great delight. 

I commenced my third round in the name of the 
Lord of hosts. My soul was happy. Every thing 
went on smooth and easy all around the district. The 
preachers were mostly in good health — working hard 
and pretty successfully ; and proved the truth of the 



484 FIFTY TEARS IX THE ITIKEBANCY. 

saying of David, " Behold, how good and how pleas- 
ant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." I 
closed the third round in good health, and happy in 
my own mind. 

This year I attended conference at Piqua. Bishop 
Morris was our president. "We had a very agreeable 
conference, and were able to make a good report of 
all the preachers, showing a considerable increase on 
the district. I was reappointed to the Marietta dis- 
trict. Uriah Heath was sent to Marietta, to the 
acceptance of the people ; Daniel D. Mather was 
sent to Barlow. They were excellent preachers. 
They worked together like two brothers, and the Lord 
blessed their labors. Abraham Cartlitch was in Ames- 
ville, a good and useful man ; Deavertown, James 
Gurley — he had excellent preaching talents. Levi 
Munsell was a very good man and made good improve- 
ment as a preacher. Logan, this year, had John Dil- 
lon and John C. Havens. Brother Dillon was a man of 
strong mind, well improved by education. His legal 
knowledge was a great advantage to him. He was a 
good man and a good preacher. Brother Havens was 
a pious man, with a great gift to pray and exhort, 
and was one of the sweet singers of Israel. At 
M'Arthurstown, Andrew Dixon, a pattern of patience 
and brotherly kindness. At Athens station was Ezra 
Boring. He had enjoyed considerable literary and 
scientific advantages, was a man of piety, with preach- 
ing abilities about par, and a sociable and companion- 
able spirit. He had a prosperous year in the station. 



COLUMBUS CONFERENCE, 1847. 485 

This was another prosperous year on the district, 
but not quite equal to last year. My health and 
strength held out well through the year. 

Conference met this year — 1847 — in Columbus ; 
Bishop Janes was our president. Our conference was 
large, had a vast amount of business to do, and the 
cabinet had to work night and day. At this time our 
delegates were elected to the General conference, to 
be held in Pittsburg in 1848 : James B. Finley, John 
F. Wright, Joseph M. Trimble, Charles Elliott, John 
Stewart, Jacob Young, Joseph S. Tomlinson, G. W. 
Walker, and W. Herr. 

Our conference held its session in the Presbyterian 
church, and was treated with great Christian kindness. 
We had comfortable places for all our members — had 
many visitors, among whom was the far-famed Dr. 
Bond, and our much-lamented Henry Pitman, Mr. 
John Armstrong, and others equally as respectable, 
which made our conference highly interesting to me. 
As we had to raise a large amount of money for vari- 
ous purposes, the preachers were so drained that some 
of them had to borrow to get home. 

This conference was rendered a lasting blessing 
to the city of Columbus, especially the pulpit labors 
of the Lord's ministers. Truly the word had free 
course and was glorified. 

Here I will insert an explanatory note. I think it 
is called for at this time. When I was quite a young 
man I became deeply convinced of the impropriety 
of chewing or smoking tobacco. First, it has a bad 



486 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

influence on health, and I believe that many shorten 
their lives by this pernicious practice, and they die as 
the fool dieth ; for their hands were not bound with 
fetters, neither was their feet made fast in the stocks. 
It is, secondly, injurious to decency and cleanliness. 
Thirdly. It has a bad influence on manners. 

I wish now to relate a circumstance to sustain a 
part of what I have said on the subject. The Pres- 
byterians politely offered us the First Presbyterian 
church in the city, and the house was put in the best 
order possible — fine carpets, pews well cushioned, 
etc. Although our preachers are all gentlemen, or 
ought to be, the use of this nauseous weed had so 
blunted their sense of propriety that I apprehend 
they both chewed and smoked tobacco in that fine 
house; for when the sexton came to clean the house 
he found quids of tobacco and half-burnt segars un- 
der the seats; so that if they did not smoke in the 
house, they must have been pretty near the door. 

I was reappointed to the same district; went home 
and moved my family from Athens to Harmar, at the 
mouth of the Muskingum, opposite Marietta, where I 
held my first quarterly meeting. The station was not 
divided. The Rev. William Young was their preacher 
this year. His work was hard and laborious, but still 
we had a good increase in the membership. My work 
was hard through the cold winter, and in the spring I 
had to leave for the General conference. This was 
the seventh that I had attended. I went under a 
heavy burden, feeling an awful responsibility resting 



DISTINGUISHED VISITORS. 487 

upon me, knowing the best interests of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church were now in jeopardy, and her 
future prosperity depended much on the doings of 
this conference. It will be remembered that this was 
the first time we had met in this capacity after the 
unhappy division. The Methodist Church and the 
Southern Church took a lively interest in all our 
doings, and it was not to be wondered at, for the pros- 
perity of both Churches was closely connected in the 
doings of this General conference. We had some 
very talented men there, and the strength of the 
Southern Church — Bishop Soule, Dr. Early, Dr. Pierce, 
Dr. Lee, Dr. Bascom, and Dr. Parsons. 

Dr. Dixon was present from the British conference. 
He appeared to be a man of deep-toned, heaven-born 
piety — acquitted himself with dignity and propriety, 
both in the pulpit and on the floor of the conference. 
His sermons were of a high order. He was prompt 
on all occasions in answering important questions, and 
to give important information, when called upon, with 
a clear head and a warm heart. I will give one speci- 
men of his ability to answer questions satisfactorily, 
and that will illustrate his general course. The Bev. 
James Porter, of the New England conference, asked 
him how the names of colored persons were entered 
on class-papers, and whether they were recorded with 
white people or by themselves. The Doctor replied, 
" If that brother had been as well acquainted with old 
England as he ought to have been, he never would 
have asked that question, for there are very few col- 



488 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

ored people belonging to the Methodists in old Eng- 
land. In the course of my life I have seen one. I 
"was once called upon to meet a class, and while I was 
passing through the class-room there rose up before 
me a fine-looking colored man. I asked him where 
he was from. He answered that he was from Amer- 
ica. I asked him how he came here. He replied, 
' 1 run away.' ' What ! run away from your master ?' 
' Yes, I did.' 'Well, don't you think that was wrong?' 
'No, sir, the wrong was on the other side.' So the 
conversation ended." 

The Doctor told the conference he had no sympathy 
with slavery ; but it was evident he sympathized 
deeply with the good men in the Southern Church, 
who were involved in that great national evil. I be- 
lieve he regarded it as a misfortune more than a 
crime ; but in this I may be mistaken. I shall not 
attempt to give a history of what was done at this 
General conference, for two obvious reasons. First, 
I have not the ability to do the subject justice. Sec- 
ondly, it has been already done by those that were 
well qualified to do it. Suffice it to say, we traveled 
through the whole multiplied business in a little more 
than one short month, and, in my humble opinion, 
doing some things right and others wrong. But wher- 
ever they erred, it was in the head, not in the heart; 
for I speak advisedly when I say, that I never saw a 
purer body of men assembled in General conference 
or any other. The bishops looked and acted like 
apostolic men divinely inspired. 



HEDDING— ARRIVAL HOME. 489 

That was the last time the venerable Hedding 
ever presided on such an occasion. Although gone 
to heaven, he is not forgotten upon earth. Though 
he left but few books behind him, his name and his 
character are inscribed on the memory and in the 
hearts of the ministers and members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Many generations will pass away 
before Bishop Hedding will be forgotten. 

Conference being over, I left the city of Pittsburg 
on a beautiful boat called the Brilliant. Several of 
our brethren were our company. I was soon landed 
at my own habitation in Point Harmar. I was a 
happy man ; the vast unbounded prospect lay before 
me, and there was neither shadow, doubt, or dark- 
ness resting upon it. I expected to preach God's 
holy word a few years longer and then go where 
I should see the King in his beauty, and behold the 
land that was very far off, where all our strife and 
toils would be over. 

I performed two entire rounds on the district, after 
my return from the General conference ; nothing, how- 
ever, very peculiar took place. Our meetings were 
interesting, but not equal to those of the two pre- 
ceding years. I closed my business, and went to 
conference, which met in Newark. Bishop Hamline 
was our president. I was able to make a favorable 
report of the district. The preachers reported a 
good increase in nearly all the circuits and stations. 
Newark was in the midst of a revival at this time. 

Our conference opened under very propitious cir- 



490 FIFTY TEAKS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

cumstances — every thing was prospering within our 
bounds. Our literary institutions were all flourishing, 
with the exception of the Ohio Wesleyan University; 

and that was greatly embarrassed for want of funds. 
The professors had exhausted their means, and the 
board had no funds to reimburse them. I advocated 
a proposition to use some of the permanent funds, 
rather than let the institution be suspended. The 
Bishop orptsed me with ail his energy, said we had 
better suspend the institution forever, than lay hands 
on the permanent funds. I was persuaded that I 
was right, and he was wrong : for I was well satis- 
fied in my own mind, that if it was once suspended 
it was about ruin to the institution. The result 
proved that I was right in the matter. The debt 
has long since been paid off, and the college is 
well endowed, and its real value not less than two 
hundred thousand dollars — had it been suspended at 
that time, it would have long since been defunct. 
I have always been decidedly opposed to trustees 
using permanent funds for current expenses; but, 
like many other good rules, it has its exceptions. 
Our Sunday schools had done extremely well this 
year. The missionary spirit ran high, as was mani- 
fest by the collections that were made. The good 
cause of temperance was rapidly on the advance. 
The restoration of Wesley's rule, on ardent spirits. 
gave a fresh impetus to the temperance movement. 
Strong men were engaged in the cause, and were 
putting forth their best efforts. 



REAPPOINTMENT. 491 

We had a very agreeable session. At the close, I 
was reappointed to Marietta district. Ezra Boring 
was sent to the station, and William H. Sutherland 
to Harmar. These brethren had been stationed in 
Athens one year apiece — Boring first, and Suther- 
land following him. They were good men and good 
preachers — a little like Saul and Jonathan, very 
pleasant and lovely in life. 

There was not much change in the district. James 
Given was sent to Barlow. He was a graduate of 
Marietta College, and from what I heard, ought to 
have had the first honors. His education, good 
sense, piety, and talents, will always be a recom- 
mendation for him. T. D. Crow was sent to Athens 
station, a man of piety and very good sense, who, like a 
Spanish mill dollar, grew brighter from use. This was 
a year of some prosperity on the district. All things 
moved on in the ordinary course. One thing might 
be said, a large majority of our members were strongly 
attached to Methodist doctrine and discipline. 

The time was now approaching when I must take 
my leave of this beloved district. I had so long 
wandered in this hilly country, that the high hills 
and deep ravines had become pleasant to me. After 
an absence of two or three months, they were like 
an old acquaintance, and I was glad to see them 
again. I was sent into this country in 1804, and I 
am here in 1848 — forty-four years seems like a few 
days. " 0, swift winged time, how rapid is thy 
flight!" I was sorry to part with them; peace and 



492 FIFTY TEARS IB THE ITINERANCY. 

harmony prevailed in all our circuits and stations. 
I bade them a long, and, as I expected, a- last farewell, 
mounted my horse, and rode away to conference, 
dropped a few tears, but dried them soon. I had so 
long been accustomed to parting with near and 
dear friends, that the cross had become light. 



ZANESVILLE DISTRICT. 493 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

ZANESVILLE D ISTRIC T — l 849-1852. 

We met this year in Dayton; Bishop Waugh 
was our president. The Governor of our state had 
appointed a day of fasting; and as several of our 
members had died, it was thought best to blend the 
sermon for fast-day and the funeral sermon into 
one. I was appointed to preach the sermon, and 
brother Finley followed in exhortation — many tears 
were shed. 

The conference passed through her ordinary busi- 
ness in the common way, and I was appointed to 
Zanesville district. My first quarterly meeting was 
in Newark. Boring was in the Western charge, and 
J. Dillon in the Eastern. We found the Church in 
a prosperous condition, especially in the Western 
charge. 

The quarterly meeting at the Eastern charge was 
not quite so interesting, but passed off pretty well. 
I went from there on to Irville circuit ; brothers 
Lybrand and Longman were their preachers — two 
dignified, sober-minded, exemplary men, and pretty 
good Methodist preachers. 

Soon after I started for Zanesville, and, arriving 
safely, found Rev. Asbury Lowrey and Rev. Granville 



494 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Moody in the two stations. Our quarterly meetings 
were lively and profitable, especially in Seventh- 
Street. A. Lowrey is a man governed by very cor- 
rect principles, a good theologian, a fine scholar, 
a superior preacher, very companionable, and a faith- 
ful,- confiding friend. Brother Moody is a man of 
superior talents, well skilled in human nature, a good 
theologian, first-rate historian, and, withal, an elo- 
quent orator. Although a little eccentric in his 
movements, he generally comes out about right. 

From here I crossed over the Muskingum to 
Putnam ; found brother B. W. Spahr in charge of 
the station — a man of talents and reading; and, 
if he is faithful to God, will prove a useful minister 
of the New Testament. 

The next appointment was Rehoboth circuit, which 
was prospering, under the labors of E. V. Bing, be- 
fore mentioned, and Joseph Creighton. The last- 
named brother is an eloquent man, mighty in the 
Scriptures, and is well calculated to be a useful Meth- 
odist preacher. There were three preachers here. 
The other was George Brush. Nature had done 
much for this young man, and he had received a fine 
education. If he continues to be pious and humble, 
he will make a useful minister in the Church. 

When the preachers came on from conference, they 
found the circuit in a languid state, more so than I 
had known it for many years. An attempt had been 
made, by some of the influential men in the southern 
part of the county, to remove the seat of justice from 



PROSPERITY. 495 

Somerset to Lexington. This met with strong oppo- 
sition, and created feelings bordering on a civil war. 
The two contending parties took their position, each 
determined not to yield. The members of the Meth- 
odist Church took part in this unhappy controversy, 
and had become very hostile one to another, which 
had a withering influence on the prosperity of the 
Church. This dispute had come to maturity at the 
commencement of this conference year. 

But God, who always takes care of his own Church, 
in his own due time, sent the right kind of men to 
that circuit at this critical period. Bing was an excel- 
lent disciplinarian, Creighton a man of eloquence, 
and Brush a learned man. They soon gained the 
attention of the whole region, and, by the breath of 
faithful prayer, powerful preaching, and holy living, 
cooled the glowing coals of strife. The revival com- 
menced at our first quarterly meeting, and went on, 
without interm^ieion, through the entire conference 
year. Bushville circuit I found in a bad condition, 
owing to financial difliculties in which some of the 
brethren had become involved. Brothers Webster 
and Fitch were here. 

From thence I went on to Hebron circuit. Brother 
Chase and brother Pitzer were traveling that circuit. 
Brother Chase was a good preacher, and an excellent 
man. His labors were blessed in almost every place 
where he was stationed. We had a fine quarterly 
meeting. There was a revival in progress. 

From hence I went to Granville circuit. The Rev. 



496 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

A. Alexander and Samuel Bright were here. Alex- 
ander is a good man, an able minister, and an excel- 
lent administrator of Discipline. Brother Bright was 
a young man, of good abilities, studious, zealous, and 
industrious. 

On Asbury circuit, we had A. M. Lorrain and San- 
ford Haines, both worthy men and good preachers, 
but they had no special revival through the year. 

On Roseville circuit, we had Stephen M. Merrill. 
Brother Merrill was a man of rather extraordinary 
preaching abilities, sober, truthful, and pious. We 
had a good year on that circuit. 

My second round commenced in Newark. A good 
work was in progress, and many souls were converted 
during our quarterly meeting. I then went on to 
Irville. The ice was broken, the brethren were look- 
ing up, and were expecting an extensive revival, in 
which they were not disappointed. In Zanesville, a 
glorious work was in progress in the Seventh-Street 
charge. The prospects were brightening in Putnam, 
in Behoboth still more powerfully, Bushville was im- 
proving, and a great and good work was going on 
in Hebron. 

The third round was much like the second. Peace 
and harmony prevailed in almost every part of the 
work; the preachers were working hard, and God was 
blessing them and the people. 

Nothing very extraordinary took place on the 
fourth round, and we closed with a camp meeting. 
It was a pleasant year to my own soul, and a profit- 



PEW DISCUSSION. 49T 

able one to the district. The preachers reported an 
increase of eighteen hundred members. I shall long 
review, with great delight, the labors, peace, and joy 
of this year of my eventful life. 

The conference was to meet in Chillicothe. It was 
an unpleasant time to me. My mind was greatly 
embarrassed, and I had not the spirit of preaching. 
At this conference, there was a great discussion on the 
subject of pews and promiscuous sittings in our con- 
gregations. I had no part in introducing this contro- 
versy, and wished to have nothing to do with it ; but 
I was involuntarily thrown into the arena, which caused 
me to have many sleepless nights, and great anxiety 
for the result. The battle was long and hard. The 
bishops conducted the business of the conference with 
great propriety, and protected all the speakers, on 
both sides of the debate, in a manly and gentlemanly 
manner. The pew-men were plainly beaten by hard 
arguments and soft words. This debate being over, 
the conference resumed a better state of feeling, and 
the business went on with harmony. 

The German work had grown rapidly on our hands, 
which, together with the English, made a very un- 
wieldy conference. Our beloved Bishops Morris and 
Janes were likely to break down under the burden. 
They had to sit nearly all day in conference, and to 
meet the cabinet at night. They dispatched business 
rapidly, and in the right spirit and manner. Good 
bishops are a great acquisition to a Church. 

The time arrived when we were to receive our ap- 
42 



498 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

pointments, or disappointments, as the case might be. 
The rolls were read, and we left the conference-room. 
I was reappointed to the Zanesville district. There 
were some small alterations. Stephen Frampton was 
put on the Deavertown circuit. He was an excellent 
young man and a good preacher. 

Upon the whole, this was another pleasant and 
prosperous year, but was not quite equal to the last. 
My health began to fail in December, by sleeping in 
a cold, damp room, without much covering on the 
bed. I took a desperate cold, and have never en- 
tirely recovered. This was a very cold winter. My 
cold was frequently renewed, and fell on my lungs, 
which produced a disagreeable hoarseness. Since 
that time, I have never been able to labor at the 
mourners' bench. This was the first year that I 
began to feel that I was an old man. My strength 
failed, and, for the want of a plentiful flow of animal 
spirits, clear indications were given me that my min- 
isterial labors were approximating to a final close. 

Our conference met, this year, in Springfield; 
Bishop Morris was our president. At an early day, 
the pew question and promiscuous sitting came up 
again. The advocates for these measures came pre- 
pared for another strong debate, and were gratified, 
to their heart's content. They were glad to close the 
argument ; for they were men of sense, and saw that 
they were worsted in the debate. The conference 
stood firmly opposed to pews, or promiscuous sittings, 
in any of our churches. 



TRIMBLE— WEST — HARVEY. 499 

This was the eighth time that I had been elected to 
General conference. I am frank to confess, that it 
was highly gratifying to me to have the confidence 
and affection of these godly men. 

I was reappointed to the Zanesville district, and 
entered my field of labor as soon as I could possibly 
reach it. Unfortunately for me I fell from my horse, 
by which I came very near losing my life. I was 
confined a number of days before I was able to travel 
to my appointment. My health was very feeble. 
There were some few changes on the district. Joseph 
M. Trimble was at Seventh-Street charge, Zanesville. 
I might say many things in favor of this excellent 
man, who is a scholar, a gentleman, a Christian, and 
an able minister. 

On Irville circuit was George W. West, the son of 
one of my early colleagues, the Rev. John West, who, 
for prudence and sound wisdom, equaled any col- 
league I ever had. His son George was very much 
like his father. 

On Roseville circuit was the pious, zealous, and 
useful Samuel Harvey. The preachers were well, 
and the good work went on with increasing energy — 
my health was greatly improved during this round. 
Although the weather was exceeding cold, we had 
some powerful quarterly meetings. The winter passed 
off, and spring came pleasantly. The time had come 
for us to make ready for our General conference in 
Boston. My health was not restored — my eyes at 
times very dim. I felt strongly inclined to stay at 



500 FIFTY YEARS IS THE ITINERANCY. 

home, and not go to the conference — and had it not 
been for the counsel and influence of my excellent 
friends, I should not have gone. After a journey of 
some peril, we reached Boston, the city of wonders, 
by way of Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Xew York. 
Bishop Janes proved himself to be not only a gentle- 
man, but a friend in this strange city. He did not 
leave us till we were safely conducted to our boarding- 
house. 

Our host and hostess was our aged brother and sis- 
ter Marsh. They received us kindly. They were 
sanctified Christians, and would compare well with 
any old couple I ever had seen. In early life they 
were very active, had accumulated a fine fortune and 
were now enjoying it — we spent our time agreeably. 

Boston is a very inviting place. It was laid off 
with much taste. There was at first a great want of 
regularity in the streets and alleys, but notwithstand- 
ing this defect, it was the handsomest city I ever saw. 
The first thing that struck my attention, was its 
cleanness — not a single hog or cow was to be seen all 
the time I was there, and very few dogs. The horse- 
stables were cleaner than some dwellings in towns I 
have visited. Boston Common can not be excelled in 
beauty. There is more taste displayed in the envi- 
rons, than in the city itself. 

The General conference held its session in Brom- 
field-Street church, a very commodious edifice, hand- 
somely finished — pulpit and altar were beautifully 
ornamented. 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1852. 501 

On the first day of May, 1852, Bishop Waugh 
opened the conference by reading the Scriptures, 
singing and prayer. The conference was then called 
to order, and the bishops took their seats — all fine- 
looking men. A sad change had taken place in 
our Episcopacy since the preceding General confer- 
ence. Bishop Hedding was not there with his dig- 
nified countenance — full of wisdom and of the Holy 
Ghost ; Bishop Hamline, one of the ornaments of our 
Episcopacy, was not present. The bishops appeared 
like children who had lost their father. 

This conference made an imposing appearance — 
there was certainly a great amount of talent and 
vital piety on that floor. After the preliminary 
arrangements were made, it fell to my lot to be 
placed on the Episcopal committee. The first two or 
three days passed off pleasantly. "We felt a great 
responsibility resting upon us. The grave counte- 
nances of those men of God showed they were think- 
ing and acting with an eye to the glory of God — 
though they had different views on many subjects 
which came before them, they were laboring for the 
good of the whole Church. 

The committee on the Episcopacy made their 
report. One item in that report set forth the ne- 
cessity of strengthening the Episcopacy by electing 
three more bishops. Bishop Hedding had deceased, 
Bishop Hamline had resigned, which left only three, 
and the committee thought they were not able to do 
the work — their field of labor having become very 



502 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

large, and in that large field a vast amount of labor 
was to be done. The conferences had become numer- 
ous, and some of them unwieldy. Foreign and do- 
mestic missions had been multiplied, and every one 
of them demanded the attention of the bishops. All 
the institutions of learning, with the Sabbath schools, 
were under their supervision. In view of all these 
interesting and important facts, the committee recom- 
mended three additional bishops. There was a motion 
made to strike out three, and put in five — one for 
Africa, and one for California. The one for Africa 
not to be a general superintendent, but confine his 
labors to the Liberian mission. This amendment was 
finally rejected — and the conference amended the 
report by adding four, instead of three, and accord- 
ingly, Scott, Simpson, Baker, and Ames were elected, 
ordained, and set apart for this high and holy office. 

I thought then, and I think now, that the confer- 
ence made a wise and happy choice ; and my prayer is 
that these godly men may live long, turn thousands 
to righteousness, and in the kingdom of glory shine 
like stars forever and ever. 

Much time was spent in electing book agents, 
editors, etc. The conference proceeded with great 
caution, and I believe made an excellent selection to 
fill these offices. There was a great deal of business 
done, and the most of it, we trust, met with the 
divine approbation. After spending one pleasant 
month, our conference closed, in great harmony. 

We took the cars for Albany. We had formed some 



POSITION OF OHIO CONFERENCE. 503 

agreeable acquaintances, and found some relations in 
the city of Boston. The Bostonians excel all the 
people I ever knew for true Christian politeness. We 
became so much attached to our sociable, and respect- 
able friends, that we were sorry to part with them. 
How solemn was the morning when we left our board- 
ing-house, and took leave of our friends at the depot, 
expecting to meet them no more, till in that world 
where adieus and farewells are unknown. 

We met with some little trouble at Albany, but all 
was made right the next day. From Albany we went 
on to Schenectady — from there to Mr. Ford's, where 
we met our beloved friends, Bishop Hamline and his 
wife — sorry to find our dear brother still sorely 
afflicted. He had forwarded his resignation to the 
conference at Boston ; and, with reluctance, they had 
accepted it. He took his place among the elders, in 
the old Ohio conference. 

Before I dismiss the General conference, at Boston, 
I wish to submit a few remarks in allusion to one of 
the cases of appeal which were brought before that 
body. I refer to the appeal of Rev. J. S. Inskip 
from a judgment of the Ohio conference. I think that 
the course the Ohio conference pursued, in opposition 
to pewing our churches, or promiscuous sittings in our 
congregations, was not understood by the General 
conference in Boston, or if understood, misrepre- 
sented, by speeches and arguments offered on the 
floor of the General conference. It was often clearly 
indicated, that the Ohio conference had interfered 



504 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

■with the bishops' prerogative in appointing preachers 
to circuits and stations, especially and particularly 
to Union Chapel, in Cincinnati. ISTow this charge I 
deny, in the most positive terms ; and would further 
say, that the Ohio conference ever has been, and is 
now, and I hope ever will be, firm Methodist Episco- 
palians. They think the appointing power is now in 
the right hands, and they wish it to remain there. 
But while the Ohio conference cheerfully submits to 
the bishops' appointing power, it promptly and will- 
ingly obeys the laws enacted, and the advice given, by 
the General conference. The General conference 
had commanded all the annual conferences to use 
their influence to prevent churches being built with 
pews — and to try to make those free that were built 
with pews — and at the same time told the conference, 
that there was no exception to the rule, "Let the men 
and women sit apart." This command — or if you 
please, advice, had been reiterated every four years ; 
and the Ohio conference from her first organiza- 
tion had cheerfully, with glad hearts and willing 
minds, obeyed the dictates of the General conference 
in these particulars as well as in every thing else ; and 
we have always kept our seats free, and the men and 
women sitting apart in accordance with primitive 
Methodism. 

Brother Hamline spoke of his resignation with 
pleasure — for he said he could not fill the office of a 
bishop, in the present condition of his health, and he 
did not wish to embarrass the Episcopacy. His soul 



RETURN — DECLINING HEALTH. 505 

was happy. We spent a day or two very pleasantly, 
and to our mutual benefit. 

From this place we went on to Rochester, from 
thence to Parma Center, tarried a few days with our 
beloved brother in the flesh, Rev. John P. Kent, a 
reliable and valuable friend, with whom I had taken 
sweet counsel in days of other years. It is probable 
that when I left his house I parted with him for the 
last time. 

From this place we went on to Buffalo City ; here 
I left my wife with some of her relatives. She wished 
to take the overland route to Cleveland, to visit her 
friends, while I took passage on a steamboat. From 
Cleveland I took the cars for Columbus, and from 
thence went on to my field of labor. I found the dis- 
trict, in general, in a state of prosperity. Some 
things had taken place during my absence rather 
annoying — but we ought to bear particular adver- 
sities patiently, when we enjoy general prosperity. 
I held two rounds of quarterly meetings after my 
return from Boston. I was preparing to take final 
leave of traveling of districts. I felt myself failing in 
both body and mind, and resolved if I took another 
appointment it should be a circuit, where the responsi- 
bility would not be so great. I had spent twenty-five 
years of my long life a presiding elder ; and, during 
these years, I have seen Zion going forth as bright- 
ness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 
43 



506 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

GROVEPORT, PICKERINGTON, CHESTER, AND 
REHOBOTH CIRCUIT S — 1852-1856. 

Our conference met this year, 1852, in Zanesville. 
Bishop Janes was our president at this conference. 
This was the first time we had met after being divided 
from the Cincinnati conference. The General con- 
ference had complied with our request, fixed our 
boundaries, and had given us a very meek and pleasant 
conference. We still retained the ancient name of 
the Ohio conference. 

The conference opened at the appointed time, Bishop 
Janes in the chair. The business was conducted in 
the usual way. We had a very interesting missionary 
meeting — collection large; and from the reports of 
the Secretary and Treasurer of the Missionary So- 
ciety, all our missions, domestic and foreign, were 
in a flourishing condition. This was the first time 
that I really felt I was an old man. I felt that I 
could no longer do efficient work. I took my leave 
of the Bishop and his counsel, with whom I had been 
so happily associated for many years. I did not 
expect ever to be engaged in stationing preachers 
again. This I regard as the most important work I 
was ever called to perform. It called forth my best 



GROVEPORT— REVIVAL. 507 

thoughts, and employed much of my time between 
twenty and thirty years, not only at the session of 
the conferences, but throughout the whole year — en- 
deavoring to make myself fully and perfectly ac- 
quainted with the condition and wants of all the cir- 
cuits and stations in the district; and at the same time 
cultivating an intimate acquaintance with all the 
preachers within the bounds of my charge, that I 
might know how to put every man in his proper place, 
where he could do the most good upon the whole. 

I was this year appointed to Groveport. I was 
blessed with an excellent colleague, the Rev. Lovett 
Taft. He was a young preacher but a very good one, 
and his praise was in all the Churches round the cir- 
cuit. We went to work with might and main, to get 
things in a better condition. The first thing we had 
to do in Groveport was to provide ourselves a place to 
preach in. We begged money wherever we could get 
a dollar, took some out of our own pockets, and in a 
short time had a tolerably comfortable place for public 
worship. We then went to work as peace-makers, 
and in a few months the circuit began to look up. 
Our first quarterly meeting was rather dull and unin- 
teresting. We persevered, and it was not long before 
God gave us a gracious revival in a place called the 
" Barrens." I believe upward of a hundred professed 
to experience religion during the revival. 

There was another revival at Reynier's meeting- 
house, and a very extensive revival followed in Grove- 
port. We admitted on probation upward of three 



508 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

hundred on the circuit this year. Brother Taft and 
myself worked together in great harmony. He was, 
in many respects, a very superior young man. He 
was an experimental Christian, of practical piety, and 
appeared to understand human nature better than 
most good men do at fifty years of age. His social 
qualities are of no common order, his business tact is 
extraordinary, and he is, withal, an excellent preacher. 
Although our prospect was dull in the beginning, yet, 
on the whole, we had a prosperous year. 

I left the circuit early in August and settled my 
family in a small town on the Ohio river, in Meigs 
county. Having put them in comfortable circumstan- 
ces, I went to conference, which sat, this year, 1853, 
in Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio. Bishop Morris 
was our president. 

This was rather a dull conference. The people 
appeared to take very little interest in our public 
meetings. I preached my semi-centenary sermon to 
a crowded audience. I had great freedom of speech, 
the congregation was very attentive, and all went off 
pleasantly. There was a request sent in for my return 
to Groveport, but I declined going, and the Bishop 
did not urge me. 

I was appointed to Pickerington circuit ; brother 
Heath was my presiding elder, and Richard Pitzer 
my colleague. The people received me as the Lord's 
messenger, with one or two exceptions. 

This was a pleasant and profitable year to my own 
Boul. I spent part of my time with my youngest son, 



APPOINTMENT TO CHESTER. 509 

trying to improve his temporal and spiritual condition, 
and had the happiness to know that my labor was not 
in vain. The only serious drawback on my happiness 
was being absent from my family; but I knew they 
were comfortable and among kind friends. 

I closed my labors on this circuit much to my own 
satisfaction, and, as far as I could judge, to the bene- 
fit of the circuit. In the last of July, I returned 
home and found my little habitation very comfortable. 
"While walking in the garden, and then along the banks 
of the Ohio river, I was reminded of what Milton 
said of Adam and Eve in paradise. I spent a month 
at home much to my own comfort. I then started, in 
company with my wife, to the conference, which sat 
this year — 1854 — in Portsmouth. Bishop Scott was 
our president. 

We had a delightful conference. The pulpit labors 
of the preachers were much blessed. I was appointed, 
this year, to Chester circuit, including Letart Falls, 
where my family reside. Ezra Boring was my pre- 
siding elder, and the Rev. Charles H. Warren my col- 
league. We commenced our labors in a few days 
after conference adjourned. I was the junior preacher, 
but enjoyed it as well as when I was the elder of my 
colleague. 

We found the circuit rather low in religion, and 
could not see much good done or change for the bet- 
ter during the first quarter. We met with a severe 
loss in the death of our aged mother-in-law, eighty- 
eight years of age — a mother in Israel, and who had 



510 FIFTY YEAES IN THE ITINERANCY. 

been to her daughter as the shadow of a great rock 
in a weary land. 

And we had some success throughout the year. 
At Kimes' school-house we did but little. At Ollum's 
school-house we had a delightful year. At Buffing- 
ton's Island we had some prosperity, and some ad- 
versity, but just about held our own. At Lauk's 
Chapel we had a very good year. There were many 
good members in that society. Sister Lauk, brother 
Haywood, and brother Middlesworth will never be 
forgotten. We had a pleasant year in the Great 
Bend. Our third quarterly meeting was held there, 
but it was not very successful. In Racine, we had 
some prosperity, but not equal to our expectations. 
We found the congregation divided on the subject of 
singing. Notwithstanding my colleague and myself 
labored incessantly from house to house, we could not 
reconcile them. 

At what was called Buffington's meeting-house, we 
had a good revival. About forty united with the 
Church. We had pleasant times at Letart Falls, and 
East Letart, but not a great deal of good was accom- 
plished. This was not a very prosperous year on 
Chester circuit, but it was a pleasant one. We spent 
a great deal of time in making pastoral visits among 
our people, which was rendered a blessing to both 
preachers and people. I closed my year's labors 
here under an approving conscience; and, as far as I 
can judge from my religious feelings, God approved 
my labors of love; and, if I may rely upon the testi- 



J. HUMPHREY— D. STEWART. 511 

mony of friends, I had the confidence and affection 
of the people of the circuit almost entirely. May 
God bless them, and send them pastors after his 
own heart! 

I attended conference, which met this year in 
Athens — 1855. On my way to conference, I passed 
by a place called Waterman's Hill, where, in days 
of other years, stood an old log meeting-house, called 
Bethel, where I had been in the habit of preaching 
and holding quarterly meetings for the last forty 
years, and with as much success as any other meet- 
ing-house I ever occupied. I found the old house 
entirely moved away, and a beautiful new church 
edifice standing in its place. On the Lord's day, I 
dedicated that fine building to the worship of al- 
mighty God. It was a high day on Waterman's Hill. 
God's ministers were clothed with salvation, and the 
saints shouted aloud for joy. When I saw the smil- 
ing face of Jacob Humphrey, and heard his well- 
known voice, it brought to my recollection those 
prosperous years when God was turning the captivity 
of Zion as the streams of the south. 

On Monday, I rode to the house of my old friend, 
Daniel Stewart, Esq., under whose hospitable roof I 
have spent many a happy night, and from whose hand 
I had received many a dollar, when I stood in great 
need of money. I first lodged with this good man in 
1804, preached, and organized a Church in his house. 
He was then in the vigor of manhood, and was one 
of the most active and enterprising men in Ohio. 



512 FIFTY YEARS IK THE ITIMBBAKCY. 

He is now wayworn and feeble, and can not go from 
his sofa to his table without the aid of two persons, 
one under each arm. May God preserve him, and 
give him a place in the first resurrection ! 

From this place, I rode to Athens, in order once 
more to meet the annual conference, which met, at 
the appointed hour, at the Methodist church — Bishop 
Morris in the chair. We had a full attendance, and 
the conference opened under auspicious circumstances. 

There was a good deal of extra business done at 
this conference. We elected our delegates to meet 
in General conference, at Indianapolis, in 1856. 
Zechariah Connell, Joseph M. Trimble, James Jami- 
son, Solomon Howard, Uriah Heath, and Jacob 
Young were elected. 

After a short and pleasant session, conference 
closed, and the appointments were read. I was ap- 
pointed, this year, to Kehoboth circuit. I started 
for my field of labor, thinking it probable that this 
would be my last appointment. On my journey 
through a hilly country, on horseback, I became very 
much exhausted, and feared I would not be able 
to reach my circuit, or do the work of an effective 
man after I got there. But, by a merciful Provi- 
dence, that had sustained me almost eighty years, I 
arrived safely in Lexington, the principal town in my 
circuit. 



BRIGHTNESS — SHADOWS. 513 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1856 — CLOSE OF ITIN- 
ERANT LABORS. 

During my first round, my strength greatly in- 
creased. The congregations were large, the meetings 
lively, and, to all appearance, profitable. On my 
second round, my prospects were still brighter, and 
there was a prospect of a revival in almost every 
preaching-place. But, on my third round, my eyes 
became so much inflamed that I could not see to 
travel in the plain highway. I got a pilot to go with 
me several times, and resolved, in my own mind, that 
I would not give up the circuit. My colleague, Cyrus 
Felton, though talented, was quite a young man, and 
not very capable of giving advice to a man in my 
situation, and I could find no man on the circuit that 
was willing to give me advice. This was to me a 
dark and trying time. I had given myself wholly to 
God and his work, and intended to live and die at 
my post; and, as I had no human counselor, I went 
to the Wise for instruction, and continued in prayer 
till I was firmly persuaded that the same wise and 
holy Being who had counted me faithful, putting me 
into the ministry, and who, by his providence, led me 
into the great Methodist itinerancy, had now released 



514 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

me, so that I could retire with a good conscience. 
The quarterly meeting came on, and I tendered my 
resignation. The elder accepted the same, and em- 
ployed another man to fill my place. I left my field 
of labor with a heart resigned to the will of God. 
As I was traveling along, in search of a shelter to 
screen my naked head, I compared myself to some 
of Alexander's old Macedonian soldiers, who had 
worn themselves out under arms, were covered with 
scars, and were retiring to seek a resting-place, where 
they might lie down and die in peace. 

I passed a stormy and troublesome winter. At 
times, I was almost blind; and I spent the most of 
what little money I had in trying to get my eyes 
cured, but found no relief. I had a little cottage 
standing on the banks of the Ohio river, but it was 
under rent, and we could not go into it. I spent the 
winter as best I might, in watching, praying, and 
preaching God's holy word. God blessed me abun- 
dantly out of the treasures of his grace, and I often 
felt like quitting this world of woe and flying away 
to heaven. I had plenty of warm clothing, and 
plenty to eat, and that which was good. 

Toward the spring, I started on toward the Ohio 
river. I stopped in Lancaster, and found brothers 
Jamison and Clayton in the midst of a glorious re- 
vival. I took part in the exercises, and received a 
fresh baptism of the Holy Ghost. From Lancaster, 
I went on to Athens, and found an excellent revival 
in progress in that place. There I spent several 



GENERAL CONFERENCE. 515 

days, much to my own benefit, and, perhaps, with no 
disadvantage to the congregation. 

When I left Athens for Pomeroy, I came near 
being cast away; but that Providence which had 
always watched over me, and numbered the very 
hairs of my head, delivered me, even in that day; 
and, in company with my wife, we arrived safely in 
Pomeroy, where we were kindly received, and cour- 
teously entertained, by our son-in-law and daughter, 
Hiram H. and Ann Eliza Swallow. During the six 
weeks I spent here, I preached every Sabbath day, 
and the good people of the place rewarded me very 
liberally. 

The time of General conference approaching, we 
journeyed by way of Cincinnati to Indianapolis, and 
found excellent lodgings with Miss Stephens, whose 
kindness to me and my wife will never be forgotten. 

The General conference met on the first day of 
May, according to appointment. Bishop Waugh be- 
ing the senior Bishop, took the chair as a matter of 
course. He opened the conference by reading the 
holy Scriptures, singing a hymn, and then addressed 
a throne of grace in fervent prayer — he was followed 
in prayer by two other brethren. 

This General conference made a highly respectable 
appearance. There was a suitable number of old 
men in the body whose gray heads gave it a sober 
and dignified aspect; but a large majority of the 
members were young men who had not passed the 
meridian of life ; but they were like young Timothy, 



516 FIFTY TEAKS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

who was ordained first bishop of Epkesus, and had 
fully known the holy Scriptures from his youth. 

Two or three of the first days of our session was 
spent in preliminaries, such as appointing committees, 
and arranging important business that was to come 
before the conference. This being done they went 
to work, systematically, like men who understood 
what lay before them — who felt their responsibility 
to God, his Church, and the people at large; for the 
whole United States took a lively interest in the 
doings of this conference. 

Many matters, of vast importance, had to come be- 
fore this able body of men; but the vexed question 
of slavery was the all-absorbing topic ; and, though it 
was not a holy thing, as Aaron's rod, yet it was likely 
to swallow ail the rest. There was a number of ap- 
peals taken from the decision of the annual confer- 
ences, some of them having reference to charges of a 
most disgraceful character; but I must do the con- 
ference the justice to say, that it traveled through 
the whole of them in such a manner that reflected 
honor upon itself, and the several annual conferences 
that were represented in that enlightened body. I 
hesitate not to give it as my opinion, that the mem- 
bers of this conference possessed as much native 
talent and useful learning, and, perhaps, vital piety, 
as any General conference I ever attended. 

After having spent a long time in committees, with 
much thought and many prayers being offered up to 
almighty God, the question of slavery was taken up. 



DEBATE— DECISION — ADJOURNMENT. 517 

The committee on that subject made an able and 
judicious report. The subject was debated for many 
days. Many of the speeches on that occasion would 
have done honor to Henry Clay or Daniel Webster, 
in their best davs. When the debate first commenced, 
they talked about antislavery and pro-slavery men; 
but we found, to our great comfort, that there were 
no pro-slavery men among us — no, not one ; we only 
differed in regard to the proper time and the most 
excellent way, to remove this great evil from the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. A spirit of piety and 
love of the Church prevailed over every other feeling, 
throughout the whole conference. Finally, a decision 
was made, and such a one as appeared to satisfy all 
parties concerned ; and, in my humble opinion, it 
was a righteous and benevolent decision. And, if 
Matthew Hale had been alive, and present, and 
Chief Justice Marshall by his side, they could have 
done no better. 

Other items of business that came before the con- 
ference were disposed of in a satisfactory manner ; 
and, after a long and harmonious session, the con- 
ference elected their officers, agents, and editors, for 
the next four years — read up their journals, and 
adjourned, sine die. The members stepped on to 
the cars, and into their carriages ; and, in a short 
time, were on their way to their several homes — never 
all to meet again in another General conference. In 
nine General conferences I have endeavored faith- 
fully to serve my brethren; and, I hereby return 



518 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

them my sincere thanks for the honor of a seat in 
that body, so repeatedly conferred upon me — assured, 
as I am, that I have received that honor for the 
last time. 

I spent the summer in traveling and preaching 
God's holy word, and visiting from house to house: 
sometimes catechising children, and sometimes in- 
structing their parents. I attended several quarterly 
meetings, in which I took an active part — attended 
one camp meeting, which was a good one. There we 
witnessed the outpouring of the Spirit of God on the 
congregation, as I have seen it in other days, and in 
other countries. 

Soon after this camp meeting I went to the annual 
conference, which met this year in Newark, Ohio. 
This was a pleasant conference to me, and I trust to 
many others, but the want of eye-sight and my bodily 
infirmities, compelled me to ask a change in my rela- 
tion to the conference. During the last fifty years 
of my life, I had found it necessary to do many hard 
things, and take up many a heavy cross, which some- 
times felt like tearing the flesh from my bones ; 
but this was the hardest task I ever performed. The 
thought of no longer being a traveling preacher was 
like death to all my enjoyments. My habits had been 
confirmed by fifty-four years' constant exercise, and 1 
had always esteemed my labor, as minister, as my 
best reward ; but I was convinced the time had come 
when I could no longer do the work of an effective 
Methodist preacher. Although I felt like a man, I 



SUPERANNUATION — PALSY. 519 

reasoned like a Christian. I arose and spoke trem- 
blingly, like Ephraim of old, but I know not that I 
exalted myself in Israel. The conference granted 
my request, and I retired, as soon as convenient, to 
my humble cottage, where I intend to glorify God by 
suffering his will, which I had been endeavoring to 
do, actively, for more than sixty years. Just before 
I got my house put in order I was struck with the 
palsy, and have been laboring under this disease for 
upward of two months; and, here I sit, to-day, by 
the fire-side — a paralytic — eighty years of age, and 
nearly half blind — yet am I happier than the kings 
of the earth. 



520 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 



CONCLUSION. 

At the request of many of my friends, whose 
friendship I highly appreciate, and whose judgment 
I greatly respect, I have written a short and imper- 
fect narrative of my long and laborious life. Though 
I am a man of small abilities and limited acquire- 
ments, yet the force of circumstances, thrown around 
me by a wise and merciful Providence, has rendered 
my life, to some extent, an eventful one. My con- 
nection with the itinerant ministers of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, at the close of the eighteenth and 
beginning of the nineteenth centuries, I regard as 
the most important and interesting of any part of my 
narrative. They were truly a noble company of men 
of God, thoroughly furnished unto every good work. 
I know not that I shall ever look upon their like 
again. I am much indebted to these holy men. They 
were the honored instruments of my conversion to 
God. When I speak of these men, I speak the things 
that I do know, and say things that I understand. I 
was early associated with them, and took a very act- 
ive part in their labors and sufferings, poverty and 
persecutions, and shared, to some extent, in that glory 
and honor which the Holy Ghost shed upon them so 
abundantly. The great central intention of these 
primitive men was to do good of every possible sort, 



CONCLUSION. 521 

and, as far as possible, to all mankind — both to their 
souls and their bodies — especially to the fallen souls 
of the sons and daughters of men. It appeared from 
their manner of life and conversation that they had 
given themselves wholly to God and his "work; for 
many of them had but little book knowledge when 
they entered the ministry ; yet by diligent study they 
soon acquired a large fund of the best kind of learn- 
ing, and, like well-instructed scribes, they could bring 
out of their treasury things new and old to edify and 
instruct their congregations. One thing that gave 
them the advantage of other men was, that they lived 
by rule — having a time for every thing that belonged 
to their office, and doing every thing at the proper 
time. They almost invariably arose at four o'clock, 
and devoted the time from four to eight in their 
secret retirement. They spent a greater part of 
these four hours on their knees — praying, reading, 
and meditating alternately. They then conducted the 
family devotion, after breakfast catechised the chil- 
dren, and conversed freely with the family on the 
spiritual condition of their souls, then took an affec- 
tionate leave of the family, commending them to God 
in a short prayer. They then rode to their appoint- 
ment, and were sure to be there in good time. They 
calculated on doing a vast amount of ministerial work, 
and neither expected or desired much money. Their 
fields of labor, circuits, districts, and conferences cov- 
ered large tracts of territory, and, by the blessing of 

God, they cultivated those fields well. 

44 



522 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

Francis Asbury set the example of piety, benevo- 
lence, regularity, industry, and economy, and the 
choice ones of all the annual conferences followed his 
example. When I first knew him he received, for his 
services as general superintendent, sixteen dollars per 
quarter, which amounted to sixty-four dollars per an- 
num; and, what will surprise the men of this genera- 
tion, he lived well upon that small salary. Some will 
say, "But he received a great many presents." But 
I will reply — and I know I say the truth — that he gave 
away more than he received in presents; for he was 
one of those rare men that knew it was more blessed 
to give than receive. He observed the most rigid 
economy in every thing that related to spending 
money. Although he never loved money for its own 
sake, yet he knew its value as well as any other man 
I ever knew. His costume presented an example 
worthy of imitation, of neatness, plainness, and econ- 
omy. Even his horse, saddle and saddle-bags, and 
bridle showed his close attention to good economy. 
While he was able he traveled on horseback, and 
when he was compelled to go upon wheels his carriage 
was of the plainest and cheapest kind. He used to 
tell us in conference that he never had time to marry a 
wife, buy a farm, or build a house, and I never knew 
him to take a long or a short journey for his own ac- 
commodation. He had, like St. Paul, counted all 
things as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of 
Christ Jesus his Lord. He presented his manly form 
and giant mind as a sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto 



CONCLUSION. 523 

God. Yes, verily, he laid his all upon the altar of 
consecration, and never took it off again till God took 
him home to heaven. Although for many years he 
had no colleague — Dr. Coke being absent in Europe — 
yet he visited almost every district in the connection 
once in a year, and passed through many of our cir- 
cuits, preaching and visiting from house to house as 
he went along ; so that we heard no one complaining 
that they had never seen a bishop. 

The presiding elders desired no larger salaries than 
the youngest and weakest circuit-riders. They were 
truly a band of brothers: they knew how to bear 
each others' burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 
They had laid the whole of their time, talents, and 
strength under contribution to extend the Redeemer's 
kingdom unto all the nations of the earth. These 
good men had their day — have passed away and gone 
to their reward; but, during their short stay upon 
earth, they laid the foundation for great good in the 
east, west, north, and south. 

About the beginning of the nineteenth century, the 
great western revival commenced in the vicinity of 
Nashville, middle Tennessee, under the pious labors 
of John Page, John M'Gee, and Thomas Wilkinson. 
They were Methodist preachers. William M'Gee, Mr. 
Hodges, and father M'Grada, were Presbyterian 
preachers. In my opinion this was the greatest revi- 
val ever known in these United States, or in any part 
of North America. It far exceeded the revival in 
New England under George Whitefield. The congre- 



524 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

gations soon became so large that they could not 
assemble in the meeting-houses. They continued 
sometimes for ten or twelve days at some of these 
meetings, and several hundred professed to experience 
salvation by the remission of sins. It soon spread a 
hallowed influence over many parts of the state of 
Tennessee and south-western Virginia, as far as Ab- 
bingdon, Russel, Tazewell, and Wythe court-houses. 
Then it spread through the interior of Kentucky, 
which gave rise to the well-known Caneridge meeting. 
At the same time it took a southern direction and 
spread over the Carolinas and Georgia, then through 
the interior of old Virginia, till it reached the eastern 
states of Maryland and Delaware. In the days of 
Dr. Chandler, of Delaware, Nicholas Sneethen, of 
Maryland, Steth Mead, of Virginia, William M'Ken- 
dree, of Kentucky, John Adam Granadd, of Tennes- 
see, it appeared that the world would be converted 
through the instrumentality of camp meetings. Dr. 
Chandler frequently reported the success of his camp 
meetings, and, to the best of my recollection, he re- 
ported thirteen hundred conversions at one meeting ! 
The influence of this revival was felt, more or less, 
throughout all the states for upward of twenty years. 
At the present time, the Methodist Episcopal 
Church is doing a great and good work in her Sab- 
bath schools, much better than she was ever doing 
before. She is making strong arid successful exer- 
tions to civilize and Christianize the heathen world. 
She is doing a noble part in the diffusion of literature 



CONCLUSION. 525 

and science ; and if true to herself, she is destined to 
act a prominent part in bringing this fallen world to 
the feet of Christ. She has many schools, seminaries, 
and colleges all in a flourishing condition — her pul- 
pits, generally, are filled with men of piety, of respect- 
able talents, and acquirements, so that I may safely 
say that she is still like a green olive-tree, in the gar- 
den of God. But at the same time, it is thought by 
some of our wise ones, and old men, that Methodist 
preachers are not just such men as their predecessors 
were, in the beginning of the nineteenth century — that 
they manifest some disposition to curtail their labors, 
and increase their salaries. I will not vouch for the 
correctness of this opinion, but there are many facts 
standing out fully before the public, that give evi- 
dence that the opinion is too well founded ; one fact 
is, circuits are made very small, and though they do 
little preaching, except on the Sabbath days, yet there 
are great complaints in regard to pastoral visits. 
Many of our old people say, these visits are like those 
of angels, few and far between. 

Now the great argument in favor of reducing the 
districts and circuits, was to give the preachers an 
opportunity to make more pastoral visits — but it is 
thought that they do not visit near as much now as 
they did in former days, when there were from twenty- 
five to thirty preaching-places on a circuit, and the 
preacher was accustomed to preach as many ser- 
mons every round, meet twenty or thirty classes, 
and hold some prayer meetings, and then visit ten or 



526 FIFTY YEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

fifteen families every round, and over and above all 
this take in, or turn out members every day, and then 
reprove, advise with all long-suffering and doctrine. 
This was the way the fathers in the ministry lived, 
and this is the example they set to the generations 
that were to follow them. The presiding elder's dis- 
trict contained nearly half the territory there is now 
in the bounds of some of the annual conferences. Yet 
he elder traveled through the whole work four times 
in a year — not only holding quarterly meetings, but 
often preaching in the evening, and holding other 
meetings. I do not say, neither do I think, that it is 
necessary for the present generation of preachers to 
do as much work as their predecessors did ; for there 
are many more of them, now, in proportion to the peo- 
ple, than there were in those days ; neither are they 
able to do the same amount of hard work, for they 
have not the same kind of elastic bodies. But these 
important facts the bishops and their counsel have 
taken into consideration, and have apportioned the 
work accordingly ; and if a man is not able to do the 
work efficiently that is required on any station, cir- 
cuit, or district, he ought to retire, and not ask for a 
superannuated relation, till he is worn out in the itiner- 
ant work. I am very well aware of two or three things, 
though I thus speak — first, that there are a great 
many croakers, in the present day, that wish the 
Methodist Church to go down and rise no more ; and 
try to gratify themselves by saying she is going down. 
But I know that she is not going down, but rising. 



CONCLUSION. 527 

Secondly, many of our people are disposed to find 
fault with God's ministers, when they are not faulty. 
But though the Church is not going down yet, there 
are strong indications that she is in extreme danger ; 
and in that very day that itinerant preachers begin 
to love pleasure, ease and idleness, the Church will 
sink in their hands ; and I am sorry to say there is 
a strong tendency in that direction. 

And we are in danger from another quarter. There 
are suspicions among our liberal laymen that some of 
the itinerant preachers begin to love money unduly ; 
and should that ever be ascertained as a fact, the 
laity will lose confidence in the ministry — and that 
loss of confidence will be ruinous both to the people 
and the preachers. 

We sometimes hear preachers complain that they 
can not live on their allowance — but still many of 
them live well at home, dress well, and have a surplus 
left to buy land. Even the bishops themselves are not 
out of danger ; although they have been hitherto self- 
sacrificing and laborious men, yet they are not in- 
fallible. 

But I hope and pray that none of these evils may 
come upon our beloved Zion. It may be thought by 
many that it ill becomes a man in my standing thus 
to speak of bishops and ministers. My apology is 
this — that I have had a long standing among Meth- 
odist preachers, and I have gone out and in before 
them, while they have treated me with great respect 
and reverence — and the present generation of bishops 



528 FIFTY TEARS IN THE ITINERANCY. 

and preachers have grown up since I have been an 
old man. 

And now, my brethren, I am passing away — and it 
is probable you will see my face, and hear my voice, 
no more — and I leave you this solemn caution, because 
I love you better than any other body of men upon 
earth. 



THE END 



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